Forces personnel can go from Hero to Zero

Once A Proud Soldier

One in four UK servicemen find themselves homeless after demobilisation. A new independent British movie documents these survivors’ experiences through the eyes and ears of one of their number, paratrooper-turned-photographic journalist Stuart Griffiths. Dylan Cave reports

The Ministry of Defence announced that the death toll of British soldiers fighting in Afghanistan since the conflict began in 2001 had reached 395. This sobering statistic made headline news and the figure remains in the bulletins as it steadily increases.

Mentioned simultaneously was the fact that 5312 British personnel have suffered combat wounds, serious injury or loss of limb in Afghanistan since 2001. These figures appear in the news less frequently, but the untold stories of the people involved are addressed in a new documentary, Isolation. A hit at last year’s Edinburgh festival, the film has already played in unique screenings at the Barbican and Roundhouse and begins a two-week tour of the Picturehouse cinema chain from 14 July.

Attempting to go beyond the headlines, Isolation documents the trauma experienced by those British soldiers who have suffered serious injury in dangerous conflict zones, including Afghanistan. Shot independently by newcomers Joseph Bull and Luke Seomore, the film gives a voice to the numerous ex-servicemen and women who struggle to adapt to civilian life.

“There are elements that personify the things a lot of soldiers go through,” say the directors. “The social isolation, problems with alcohol, feeling like an outsider and homelessness. We were aware of people living on the streets that had served in the army and it was something we found disturbing.”

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