Charlie Sadoff, USA 2023
It's unfathomable to think that US military veterans would take up arms against the country they swore an oath to protect, right? Filmmaker Charlie Sadoff in collaboration with several US military veterans gives reasons to support such an idea in AGAINST ALL ENEMIES. In order to dissect an ongoing dilemma, one must look deep into the violent extremists in America such as the Proud Boys, 3 Presenters, and the Oath Keepers.
Shocking, though not surprising, is the fact that these organized groups are among the most highly trained military veterans of the US military forces and appear to be one of the greatest threats to their allegiance. How does this happen? It's in part due to an increasingly intense radicalization toward an insurrectionist movement. The Capitol riot on January 6th was one such event and viewed in plain sight. The surprise factor was scary; but it is now a danger that could continue to resurrect and go far beyond one day.
How far could it go you might ask? It's hard to tell but AGAINST ALL ENEMIES explores various aspects that account for such violence through understanding of a history of insurrectionist behavior, the attraction veterans have to a sense of belonging with like-minded comrades, and a relentless support from former US military and political leadership.
The questions, needing answers, that boggle the minds of an average American citizen regarding the insurrection catastrophe of January 6th is what Sadoff attempts to unravel, beginning with live conversations with the leaders of America's violent extremist groups.
Sadoff presents a compelling but chilling narrative every American citizen needs to listen to, ponder and think deeply about because just to be warned of an existential threat to the US democracy is only the beginning. It's every US citizen's responsibility to unite and stand for their freedom. One must take democracy and freedom seriously and the cost thereof, in order to preserve a society where freedom is to be available for all its citizens. (KP)