Home / Arts and Entertainment / Filmmaker Tracks Mercenary Rise Amidst Global Authoritarian Shift
Filmmaker Tracks Mercenary Rise Amidst Global Authoritarian Shift
15 Mar
Summary
- Film 'Hell's Army' reveals the dangerous expansion of private mercenary legions.
- Wagner Group is the first private company to conquer a European city in 500 years.
- Director warns authoritarian tendencies visible in Russia are also present in the U.S.
The documentary "Hell's Army," premiering at CPH:DOX, investigates the escalating influence of private military factions, specifically Russia's Wagner Group. Director Richard Rowley views their expansion as a critical symptom of decaying democracies worldwide, fostering an environment ripe for unpredictable, mercenary forces.
Rowley's research, guided by journalist Katya Hakim and insights from Denis Korotkov and The Dossier Center, exposes the Wagner Group's global operations. These private armies, capable of fielding armies larger than many European nations, represent a new, dangerous paradigm, with Wagner noted as the first private entity to conquer a European city in five centuries.
The film argues that such mercenary forces emerge when states are controlled by "thugs and gangsters." Rowley draws parallels between the authoritarian trends in Russia and those observable in the United States, urging a collective response to prevent a darker future.
Despite the grim outlook, Rowley remains hopeful, driven by the courage of those who share their stories. He believes documenting these realities is a responsibility, aiming to make their faith in the power of truth worthwhile.
