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I had a great talk with Zack Bazzi, one of the soldiers who helped shoot “The War Tapes.” I knew I wanted to have a discussion with Zack about his role in the film when he commented a few times on the Interview I had with Deborah Scranton the director of “The War Tapes.” Zack is one cool guy and I’m glad that I had the chance to talk to him. He has an amazing future ahead of him, but first one more trip into harms way. Good Luck in Afghanistan. I’d be honored if I could grab a Guinness with you one day when you get back. Guinness is the champagne of beer my friend.
Bio of Zack Bazzi in his own words, from MotherJones.com:
My original name is Zaher Bazzi. I was born in Lebanon, where I spent the first few years of my life. My family immigrated to the US when I was 8 years of age. My mother and I moved to Watertown, MA where I attended middle school then high school. After a mediocre high school career, I joined the Army in 1997. After the completion of Basic Training, I was assigned to the one and only 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).
At the end of my initial two-year tour, my unit received orders to deploy to Bosnia, so I reenlisted in order to accompany my Company there. Soon after my return from Bosnia, I made the rank of sergeant and not long after that I was back in the Balkans again, this time Kosovo.
After four great years in the Army, I decided to get out and go to school. I traveled around for a while, and then I lived in Chicago with an Army friend of mine, but eventually ended up back home in Watertown. I worked as a security guard until I got accepted at The University of New Hampshire. I began my current tenure at UNH in the fall of 02. It was then that I found out found out about C co. Not long afterwards, I decided to join the NH guard and was assigned as a team leader in C co. One year or 12 drills later, we received activation orders to go to Iraq.
I see this deployment as another part of my job and not as this super-patriotic struggle to protect ?our freedom and our way of life.?
Being a soldier is a fundamental part of my identity. It is something that I love and enjoy doing. Being deployed to go to war that is being questioned back home does not affect my passion for the job. I will do my professional duty regardless of the political context or my personal feelings on the matter.
I go to this mission gladly, simply because it is my mission. Soldiers are there to accomplish their mission. I?m a soldier. I signed on the dotted lined and gladly accepted the many benefits the Army had to offer. Now it is my turn to repay the Army.
As for my unit, I think it is an outstanding Guard unit and most of the soldiers are of high caliber. I am looking forward to getting to Iraq to begin then successfully accomplish my mission in a professional and exceptional manner. Plus, it should be one hell of an adventure. War always is an adventure.
I listen to all types of music with the exception of rap. I like classic rock, country, some techno and pop, and love Irish drinking music — especially while drinking a Guinness.
For hobbies, I enjoy running, working out, hiking and camping and reading a good book. My greatest passion is traveling. I spent last summer in Quebec, Canada where I was able to do a good amount of hiking, canoeing, biking and the highest bungee jump in North America–very fun.
Upon my return, I will take some time off and travel and maybe take a couple of odd jobs just for the novel experience. Last summer I did some carpentry, worked on a blueberry farm and did some landscaping. Once I finish my travels, I will return once again to school at UNH and hopefully and finally graduate.
“The War Tapes,” is now available on DVD. It is the preview edition. So get your copy before they hack it up and put out another version. Please understand that hack it up does not intend that the film will be any less of the greatness when I saw it at Tribeca.
