Seven years ago Veteran's for Peace UK released a series of short satirical anti war Action Man adverts. The narrator was Matt Berry and the production values and scripting were incredible. Its some of the most affecting anti-militarism messaging I've ever seen, and I've seen a lot. Its short, its snappy, its explicit and doesn't pull its punches.
I grew up in a military family and have seen relatives and friends go through struggles that are close but thankfully not as extreme as those depicted in the adverts. And as a kid I watched many adverts for the toy and had one of them which I used to play with fighting imaginary battles.
This campaign was provoked by the government's targeting of 16 year olds for recruitment. Its been on my mind ever since I first saw them. The English language compilation upload has done really well, with over 10 million views. However, I've always thought it was a shame that its message was limited to the Anglosphere. Yes, the British cultural touchstone's like Action Man and the selection of adverts that serve as intermissions are unlikely to strike the same chord with international viewers, Action Man is the British equivalent of G.I. Joe if that's more familiar, but since the struggles of former servicemen is nearly universal I think it can still gain traction.Here is the video with the various subtitle tracks added. (Work in Progress)
English
Action Man!
Action Man Battlefield Casaulties.
For PTSD Action Man danger lurks at every turn
"Whose there?"
He never feels safe, not even in his own home.
[screaming]
Do what you can to block out the memories.
[glug, glug, glug]
With no support from HQ its up to you to find a way.
"Looks like we're on our own"
[sniff]
PTSD Action Man now comes with thousand yard stare action.
With time running out, only you can stop the pain
"Let's get out of here!"
Action Man
Here comes Paralysed Action Man. Legs really don't work, his spine shattered by an enemy IED.
Action Man is crippled by constant pain. [Screams].
With his bowels out of action only a colostomy bag can save him from disaster.
"Reloading"
But despite his injuries, there can be no rest.
[Benefits cancelled]
"Back to work for me"
[Screams]
Action Man
Make the ultimate sacrifice with new dead Action Man.
Blown to bits by bombs, its up to you to pick up the pieces!
"We've lost him!"
Identify the body with dog-tags.
"Private Smith, 19 years old."
Reward him for valiant effort!
"You've been promoted."
Can you dig the grave in time?
"Let's do it!"
Bury your dead Action Man, with full military honours.
Present arms, Fire!!
Coffin sold seperately.
Action Man!
Action Man Battlefield Casualties!
Each sold seperately.
Esperanto
Aktiva Viro!
La Aktiva Viro Batalkampo Viktimoj ludilkompleto.
Por la Posttraŭmata Stresa Malordo (PSM) Aktiva Viro danĝero estas ĉie.
"Kies tie?"
Li neniam sentas sin sekura, eĉ ne en sia propra hejmo.
[Kriante]
Faru kion vi povas por forbari la memorojn.
[gluti, gluti, gluti]
Sen subteno de la reĝimo, dependas de vi trovi rimedon.
"Ŝajnas, ke ni estas postlasitaj"
[flarante]
PSM Aktiva Viro nun venas kun mil jarda rigarda ago.
Kun tempo finiĝanta, nur vi povas ĉesigi la doloron.
"Ni foriru de ĉi tie!"
Aktiva Viro!
Jen venas Paralizita Aktiva Viro. Siaj kruroj vere ne funkcias, lia spino frakasita de malamika IED
Aktiva Viro estas kripla de konstanta doloro. [krioj].
Kun liaj intestoj ekstere de ago nur kolostomia sako povas savi lin de katastrofo.
"Reŝargante"
Sed malgraŭ liaj vundoj, ne povas esti ripozo.
[Bonfaroj Nuligitaj]
"Reen al laboro por mi"
[krioj]
Aktiva Viro
Aktiva Viro
Faru la plej bonan oferon kun nova Mortinta Aktiva Viro.
Difektite de bomboj, dependas de vi preni la pecojn!
"Ni perdis lin!"
Identigu la korpon per Soldata identigilo.
"Soldato Smith, 19-jara."
Rekompencu lin pro kuraĝa klopodo!
"Vi estas promociita."
Ĉu vi povas fosi la tombon ĝustatempe?
"Ni faru ĝin!"
Entombigu vian Mortintan Aktiva Viron, kun plenaj militaj honoroj.
Preparu fusilojn, Fajru!!
Ĉerko vendiĝis aparte.
La Aktiva Viro Batalkampo Viktimoj ludilkompleto.
Ĉiu vendiĝis aparte
French (By Al Raven)
Action Man!
Action Man: blessé de guerre.
Pour Action Man SSPT (Symptôme de Stress Post-Traumatique), le danger se trouve à chaque recoin…
"Qui est là?"
Il ne se sent jamais en sécurité, même pas dans sa propre maison.
[cris]
À toi de l’aider à oublier ses mauvais souvenirs!
[glou, glou, glou]
Mais avec zéro soutien de la part de son QG, c’est à toi de trouver une solution.
"On dirait bien qu’ils nous ont oubliés"
[sniff]
Action Man SSPT est désormais équipé de la fonction “regard perdu dans le vide”.
Son temps est compté. Toi seul peux l’aider à mettre fin à ses souffrances!
"Allez, on se tire d’ici!"
Action Man: blessé de guerre
Et voici Action Man Paralysé!
Ses jambes ne fonctionnent pas pour de vrai!
Sa colonne vertébrale brisée par un EEI (Engin Explosif Improvisé) ennemi, Action Man est invalide et souffre en permanence.
[Cris de douleur].
Avec un intestin hors d’usage, seule une poche de colostomie peut lui faire éviter la catastrophe!
"Rechargez!"
Mais malgré ses blessures, nul répit n’est possible…
[Suppression de prestation d’invalidité]
"J’ai plus qu’à me trouver un travail!"
[Cris de douleur]
Action Man: blessé de guerre
Faites le sacrifice ultime avec le nouveau Action Man Mort au Combat!
Réduit en miettes par une bombe, c’est à toi de ramasser les morceaux.
"On l’a perdu!"
Identifies le corps avec la plaque d’identité militaire…
"Soldat de deuxième classe Smith, 19 ans."
Récompense-le pour son vaillant effort.
"Vous avez été promu!"
Pourrez-vous creuser sa tombe à temps?
"C’est parti!"
Enterres ton Action Man Mort au Combat, avec tous ses honneurs militaires…
Présentez armes… Feu!
Cercueil vendu séparément.
Action Man!
Action Man: blessé de guerre!
Chaque Action Man est vendu séparément.
Italian (By Al Raven)
Action Man!
Action Man: ferito in guerra.
Per l'Action Man PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), il pericolo è dietro ogni angolo...
"Chi c'è?"
Non si sente mai al sicuro, nemmeno a casa sua.
[urla]
Sta a voi aiutarlo a dimenticare i brutti ricordi!
[ridacchia, ridacchia, ridacchia]
Ma con zero supporto da parte del suo quartier generale, sta a voi trovare una soluzione.
"Sembra che si siano dimenticati di noi"
[sniff]
Action Man SSPT è ora dotato della funzione "fissare lo spazio".
Il suo tempo sta per scadere. Solo voi potete aiutarlo a porre fine alle sue sofferenze!
"Usciamo di qui!".
Action Man: ferito di guerra
Ed ecco Action Man paralizzato!
Le sue gambe non funzionano davvero!
Con la spina dorsale spezzata da un ordigno esplosivo improvvisato nemico, Action Man è disabile e soffre costantemente.
[Grida di dolore].
Con l'intestino fuori uso, solo una sacca per colostomia può salvarlo dal disastro!
"Ricarica!"
Ma nonostante le ferite, non c'è tregua...
[Revoca della prestazione di invalidità]
"Devo solo trovare un lavoro!".
[Urla di dolore]
Action Man: ferito in guerra
Fai il sacrificio definitivo con il nuovo Action Man Dead in Action!
Distrutto da una bomba, tocca a voi raccogliere i pezzi.
"L'abbiamo perso!"
Identificare il corpo con la targa militare...
"Soldato Smith, 19 anni".
Premiatelo per il suo valoroso sforzo.
"Sei stato promosso!"
Riuscirete a scavare la sua tomba in tempo?
"Ci siamo!"
Seppellite il vostro Action Man con tutti gli onori militari...
Braccia presenti... Fuoco!
La bara è venduta separatamente.
Action Man!
Action Man: ferito di guerra!
Ogni Action Man è venduto separatamente.
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