The Invisible War

Investigative documentary filmmaker Kirby Dick strikes a nerve with THE INVISIBLE WAR, an account of the epidemic of rape in the U.S. armed forces. Women in the military are more likely to be raped by fellow soldiers than they are to be killed in combat. In a 2005 study of female veterans, 30 percent reported being assaulted by a male colleague or supervisor. But not only women are affected: it is estimated that up to a third of those assaulted are men. There are many reasons why victims fail to come forward: the perpetrator might be their ranking officer, or they don't want to destroy their unit's cohesion. Focusing on emotional interviews with several young women, the film reveals the military's failure to address sex crimes. Sadly, their brutalization has extinguished the pride these soldiers once felt in serving their country. THE INVISIBLE WAR is a harrowing film that won the Audience Award for Best Documentary at the Sundance Film Festival in 2012. It's a powerful call to action. –B.B.