Fought between the Transvaal Republic (more commonly known as the South African Republic) and the British Empire between 1899 and 1902, the Boer War saw a bitter colonial conquest with great bloodshed across the southern tip of the African continent. Ultimately, the British would emerge victorious and would seek to dissolve any future resistance, but perhaps that’s a chapter best left to your research. In Her War, writer/director Charles Curtice takes a miniscule slice of that massive armed conflict and transforms it into a harrowing emotional spectacle.
A gunshot echoes through the plains as British infantryman Tom (Zaramok Bachok) is seen running for his life, disoriented. Blood gushes from a wound on his upper body that’s so grievous it forces him to the ground. His pursuer catches up, an Afrikaans woman named Willemien (Anna Greene) who points the barrel of her rifle at Tom—but instead of pulling the trigger one last time, she listens to what he has to say in his final moments.
Running at only a little over 6 minutes, it’s a remarkably emotional little period piece with terrific writing. It treats its opposing sides with humility, especially Tom, who sobers up to the reality of never seeing his homeland ever again, while Willemien quietly discloses the loss of her brother that drove her to violence. It’s a gutting exchange where both come to equal terms on their losses. Curtice’s screenplay extends to but a few sentences, but coupled with outstanding acting and beautifully executed editing, it really doesn’t need any more or any less. It’s exactly the kind of restrained and realistic interaction you’d hope for and carries plenty of weight. Whether you are familiar with the historical context or not, it’s still incredibly effective because of how instantly recognizable the short’s themes of humanity are. In a fleeting moment, it’s about the people caught in the midst of bloodshed and not about battles, politics, or land.
Her War recalls a turbulent historical period with striking fidelity, capturing a moment of mutual understanding with amazing direction and performances.
