The war film “Warfare,” directed by Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza, aims to replicate the authenticity of a 2006 mission in Iraq. The key to achieving this lies in the meticulous attention to detail and use of innovative techniques.
To capture the sounds of an IED explosion, the sound design team traveled to the Czech Republic, where they recorded live gunshots and bullets. This was crucial in creating the correct sound effects, including the crack, boom, and rush of air that occur during such events.
Garland’s direction seamlessly switches between perspectives, immersing the audience in the chaos. The sound designers also focused on capturing the eerie quiet moments before the explosion, which adds to the film’s tension.
Production designer Mark Digby built a 360-degree set at Bovingdon Airfield Studios, incorporating reference images from Google Earth and Ray Mendoza’s recollections. This allowed for a realistic portrayal of the aftermath of the explosion, with debris and blood added as needed.
The film’s prosthetics department, led by Tristan Versluis, created realistic injuries, including a severely injured leg. The team used digital scans to create 3D models, adding skin textures and details to achieve a lifelike appearance.
The collaboration between the crew members, particularly those who previously worked together on “Ex Machina” and “Annihilation,” allowed for seamless communication and adaptation to each other’s needs. The experience of having one of the real soldiers visit the set, even months after filming, remains etched in their memories as a powerful reminder of the reality they were trying to capture.
Source: https://variety.com/2025/artisans/news/how-warfare-created-ied-explosion-military-flyover-injuries-real-life-soldiers-1236366483