Location: 

Pacific Film Archive, 2575 Bancroft Way, Berkeley

Date and time: 
February 25, 2009 -05:00

Israel is the only country in the world where 18-year-old girls are drafted for compulsory military service. TO SEE IF I'M SMILING is a disturbing look at the actions and behavior of women soldiers in the Israeli army who, stationed in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, help maintain the 40-year-old occupation of Palestinian territories. Deeply personal interviews are dramatically interwoven with both archival footage and details of the women’s daily lives. At a time when women in the military are increasingly on the frontlines, this powerful film explores the ways that gender, ethics, and moral responsibility intersect during war.