简介：TheSylvesterStallonevehicleRamboIII(1988),isbothasuperficialcommentaryonthefailureofwartoresolvedifferencesandasurrealinterpretationofAmericanexceptionalismthroughtheactionsoftheindividual.AlthoughsetinAfghanistan,withtheherobestingaRussianarmy,thefilmwasshotintheIsraelidesert,withtheinvolvementofthecountry’smilitary.FilmmakerDanielMannemploysavarietyofapproachestounpackwhatwastomostaudiencesabrainlessshoot‘em-up,buttoMannisaworkofmanymeanings.DanielMann InterspersedwiththereadingoflettersMannwrotetheHollywoodstar,UndertheBlueSuncontrastsRambo’sexploitswiththewaysthemediainourrealityconstructsnarrativesaroundconflict.ThroughMann'sinvestigation,heencountersBashir,aPalestinianBedouinandself-taughtartistwhoworkedontheRamboIII.Bashir'sexperienceasanindigenousindividualstrippedoftriballandinIsrael,servesasapowerfulreflectionnotonlyofcolonialpoliticsbutalsoofhowthesedynamicsareperpetuatedandamplifiedinmassproductions.Mann’sfilmdelicatelyunveilsinterconnectednarrativesthatdefinethegeopolitical,physicalandenvironmentallandscapeofIsrael/Palestine.Theresultisanintelligentanddiscursiveexplorationofpropaganda,warandcolonialismthatmanagestoavoidfallingintothetrapofmilitancy,andultimatelyleavesuswonderingifwetrulyneedanotherRambointhisworld.…