I hear this story and I know that factually, it is true and this actually happened and is still happening, and yet part of me can't believe it. It fills me with rage and I wonder how can this be happening, how can these things be going on. Stories like this are an example of how the true nature of war affects us on th eindivdual human level. I hope to see more voices from the war speaking up about what is going on.
This piece, in just 7+ minutes incredibly captures some deep human feelings resulting from facing incomprensible (to a North American) war strategies, the soldier's need to survive, then displaying a meditation on horrific consequences. The marine remembers, struggles with the memory - debating whether the situation was intended or unintended.
Has much the same feel as Crane's "Red Badge of Courage" I guess the question remaining at the end: When will we ever learn.
Its an old story: a soldier finds out what war is about the hard way, he is damaged psychologically after an appalling accident. An unobtrusive (and unheard) interviewer takes him through the most harrowing time he will probably ever have in graphic detail.
Though he has justified his actions to himself, niggling doubts remain, as do the dreams.
Producer Marya has found a complex and worthy subject in this Gulf War II veteran. Her piece gives this haunted young man an opportunity to reflect on and recollect the night that changed his life.
The sharing, revisiting, contextualizing, and recording of his traumatic event offers a healing moment for the subject and the listener, (and, one suspects, the producer herself). Ms. Marya has to a substantial degree removed herself from view but hints at her lingering presence in the form of subtle editing and evocative scoring.
A slow tempoed, understated piece. This would work in a number of formats, could stand alone or complement other works in a set.
To hear a program like this is a shocking wake up call. Information such as this should definatly be more widely spread.The emotions were so raw and easily felt. I'm sure that I will be thinking about this young boys life and the effects the war has had on him for a long time to come.
What a marvelous piece of radio. Its confessional quality is perfect for this medium. The music is used very effectively to amplify emotion. The hanging questions and contradictions provide so much to think about. This glimpse into a soldier's private horror is hopefully the kind of story that might help bring this conflict to a swifter end. Very good work.
this piece is a quiet,emotionally charged and intimate interlude into the mind and subtle suffering a soldier takes home with him from the war. it inspires me to motivate and speak out against war and it's human costs...both the brutal bloodshed and it's quiet human damage to a person's life.
Rupa Marya’s documentary “Johnny Come Home” tells the story of Marine Veteran John Marchelleta’s recent experience in Iraq. Told retrospectively, Marchelleta’s narration captures how the uncertainty of death breeds contradiction. A lone violin sets a fitting ambiance as the marine remembers one night in the desert that changed his life forever. Following a strict mandate and using the extensive skills and recourses provided by the military, Marchelleta remembers the night his battalion was ambushed by Bath loyalists. The following morning’s discovery of the dismembered bodies of two young girls forced Marchelleta to question the purpose of the U.S. led invasion and sketched an image in his memory that still haunts him months after returning home.
Marya’s documentary captures the horrific realities of war and through its narrative provides a very personal feel. Marchelleta comments that the, “war is about getting Saddam out, not sacrificing people”. The documentary succeeds in demonstrating this contradiction and the dire affects it holds both for the victims of war and those caught under the wheels of the war machine they once believed in.
This piece demonstrates soldiers' and citizens' abilities to justify the cost of war. By questioning the death of two little girls and saying that he has to trust in the information given to him by his coworkers, John demonstrates the naivity and leemingness of those who do this country's dirty work.
I think this would be an excellent "All things considered" piece.
A very powerful voice, bringing news from the front - an important glimpse into the life of an ordinary soldier living with the impact of war. Would fit easily into any news magazine or soft feature hour. It is well produced, with just the right music to heighten the emotion. It could be shortened a bit, if necessary, to fit into a tighter slot without losing the impact.
I think this piece will keep listeners in their driveways glued to the radio until the end. A soldier returns from Iraq, and says he saw "everything that probably a lot of Americans SHOULD see, but don't WANT to see." Then he tells of an incident that he may never forget. He's a patriot, without easy answers, one who is struggling with his conscience. He probably wants us to struggle along with him. If you put this story on the air you'll give your listeners a chance to do just that.
Comments for Johnny Comes Home
Produced by Rupa Marya
Other pieces by Rupa Marya
Rating Summary
11 comments
David Weinberg
Posted on May 29, 2007 at 05:39 PM | Permalink
Review of Johnny Comes Home
I hear this story and I know that factually, it is true and this actually happened and is still happening, and yet part of me can't believe it. It fills me with rage and I wonder how can this be happening, how can these things be going on. Stories like this are an example of how the true nature of war affects us on th eindivdual human level. I hope to see more voices from the war speaking up about what is going on.
Michael White
Posted on November 04, 2004 at 07:17 AM | Permalink
Review of Johnny Comes Home
This piece, in just 7+ minutes incredibly captures some deep human feelings resulting from facing incomprensible (to a North American) war strategies, the soldier's need to survive, then displaying a meditation on horrific consequences. The marine remembers, struggles with the memory - debating whether the situation was intended or unintended.
Has much the same feel as Crane's "Red Badge of Courage" I guess the question remaining at the end: When will we ever learn.
Anton Angelo
Posted on August 11, 2004 at 08:39 PM | Permalink
Review of Johnny Comes Home
Its an old story: a soldier finds out what war is about the hard way, he is damaged psychologically after an appalling accident. An unobtrusive (and unheard) interviewer takes him through the most harrowing time he will probably ever have in graphic detail.
Though he has justified his actions to himself, niggling doubts remain, as do the dreams.
Andrew H
Posted on July 19, 2004 at 05:09 PM | Permalink
Review of Johnny Comes Home
Producer Marya has found a complex and worthy subject in this Gulf War II veteran. Her piece gives this haunted young man an opportunity to reflect on and recollect the night that changed his life.
The sharing, revisiting, contextualizing, and recording of his traumatic event offers a healing moment for the subject and the listener, (and, one suspects, the producer herself). Ms. Marya has to a substantial degree removed herself from view but hints at her lingering presence in the form of subtle editing and evocative scoring.
A slow tempoed, understated piece. This would work in a number of formats, could stand alone or complement other works in a set.
leah rowe
Posted on July 09, 2004 at 12:05 AM | Permalink
Review of Johnny Comes Home
To hear a program like this is a shocking wake up call. Information such as this should definatly be more widely spread.The emotions were so raw and easily felt. I'm sure that I will be thinking about this young boys life and the effects the war has had on him for a long time to come.
michele ernsting
Posted on May 27, 2004 at 10:27 AM | Permalink
Review of Johnny Comes Home
What a marvelous piece of radio. Its confessional quality is perfect for this medium. The music is used very effectively to amplify emotion. The hanging questions and contradictions provide so much to think about. This glimpse into a soldier's private horror is hopefully the kind of story that might help bring this conflict to a swifter end. Very good work.
catherine enny
Posted on April 17, 2004 at 12:39 AM | Permalink
Review of Johnny Comes Home
this piece is a quiet,emotionally charged and intimate interlude into the mind and subtle suffering a soldier takes home with him from the war. it inspires me to motivate and speak out against war and it's human costs...both the brutal bloodshed and it's quiet human damage to a person's life.
David Hughes
Posted on April 06, 2004 at 08:45 AM | Permalink
Review of Johnny Comes Home
Rupa Marya’s documentary “Johnny Come Home” tells the story of Marine Veteran John Marchelleta’s recent experience in Iraq. Told retrospectively, Marchelleta’s narration captures how the uncertainty of death breeds contradiction. A lone violin sets a fitting ambiance as the marine remembers one night in the desert that changed his life forever. Following a strict mandate and using the extensive skills and recourses provided by the military, Marchelleta remembers the night his battalion was ambushed by Bath loyalists. The following morning’s discovery of the dismembered bodies of two young girls forced Marchelleta to question the purpose of the U.S. led invasion and sketched an image in his memory that still haunts him months after returning home.
Marya’s documentary captures the horrific realities of war and through its narrative provides a very personal feel. Marchelleta comments that the, “war is about getting Saddam out, not sacrificing people”. The documentary succeeds in demonstrating this contradiction and the dire affects it holds both for the victims of war and those caught under the wheels of the war machine they once believed in.
John Bell
Posted on March 18, 2004 at 07:50 AM | Permalink
Review of Johnny Comes Home
This piece demonstrates soldiers' and citizens' abilities to justify the cost of war. By questioning the death of two little girls and saying that he has to trust in the information given to him by his coworkers, John demonstrates the naivity and leemingness of those who do this country's dirty work.
I think this would be an excellent "All things considered" piece.
Susan Barrett Price
Posted on February 18, 2004 at 11:40 AM | Permalink
Review of Johnny Comes Home
A very powerful voice, bringing news from the front - an important glimpse into the life of an ordinary soldier living with the impact of war. Would fit easily into any news magazine or soft feature hour. It is well produced, with just the right music to heighten the emotion. It could be shortened a bit, if necessary, to fit into a tighter slot without losing the impact.
Phil Easley
Posted on February 17, 2004 at 03:36 PM | Permalink
Review of Johnny Comes Home
I think this piece will keep listeners in their driveways glued to the radio until the end. A soldier returns from Iraq, and says he saw "everything that probably a lot of Americans SHOULD see, but don't WANT to see." Then he tells of an incident that he may never forget. He's a patriot, without easy answers, one who is struggling with his conscience. He probably wants us to struggle along with him. If you put this story on the air you'll give your listeners a chance to do just that.