War is always somehow much more real when viewing it from the middle, and often uglier and more pointless-seeming when seen as the past. While many a fruitless military engagement has graced the annals of even the greatest countries, few will go down in history as more wasteful of lives, money, time and resources than the current Iraq War.

Enter Tomas Young, an Iraq War veteran who was paralyzed by a bullet to the spine. His trials as he learned to cope with his new situation mentally, physically and emotionally are documented in the 2007 film Body of War. His journey leads him eventually into the camp of the "other side" as he understands more and more about the war that took his mobility and eventually becomes an antiwar activist.

Co-directed by filmmaker Ellen Spiro and the legendary Phil Donahue, Body of War garnered the Best Documentary award from the National Board of Review of Motion Pictures, and was runner-up for the People's Choice Award at the Toronto Film Festival.

Jan. 2, 7 p.m., free, Media Education Foundation, 60 Masonic St., Northampton, (413) 584-6425, www.northamptoncommittee.org