Actor Aaron Mackenzie brings authentic military experience to new film based on Iraq war
- Aaron Mackenzie, a former Royal Marine, stars in the new film Warfare based on a mission during the Iraq war.
- The film accurately reflects real military experiences, as noted by Mackenzie, who channeled his military training into his acting role.
- Mackenzie aims to use his experiences to support children’s mental health through drama-based workshops following his career transition.
In the UK, a new film titled Warfare has been released, featuring the story of a US military unit during the Iraq war. Directed by Oscar nominee Alex Garland, the film highlights a mission based on events from 2006, where a military unit is embedded with an Iraqi family. Aaron Mackenzie, a former Royal Marine, plays the role of Kelly, bringing a unique perspective and experience to his character, having joined the military post-Iraq war in 2012. Mackenzie completed his training as a signaller and enjoyed a career that allowed him to travel the world, expressing how impactful those years were on his personal and professional development. While discussing his military background, Mackenzie emphasizes the accuracy of the film in portraying real experiences from the battlefield. He stated that the film's realistic representations resonated with his own experiences, specifically mentioning the intense training that actors participated in to better prepare for their roles. This boot camp experience instilled a sense of camaraderie among the actors, reflective of real military training, and helped them effectively embody their characters during filming. His military experience not only influenced his acting but also shaped his approaches towards his current engagements. Since leaving the military in 2018, Aaron Mackenzie transitioned to a career in acting, participating in various theatre and film productions. He is now seeking to use his background and training in a positive way, focusing on mental health through drama workshops aimed at children across the Midlands. By leveraging creativity and art, Mackenzie aims to help children overcome emotional barriers, highlighting the therapeutic potential of drama as a tool for personal development. As the film Warfare garners attention in cinemas, Mackenzie's sincere approach to both acting and community engagement serves as an inspiring example of how military experiences can translate into the arts and positively impact youth mental health initiatives.