Afghanistan, Collateral Damage by Lazzaretti, Fabrizio & Vendemmiati, Alberto
Social Interest
This film shows the tremendous stress social workers are under while operating in a war time situation, and the frustration of not being able to do enough. Filmed in Afghanistan from Oct-Dec 2001, the film follows the continuing challenges for surgeon Gino Strada and medical coordinator Kate Rowlands from the human rights group "Emergency." Having joined forces to set up a hospital in Kabul they saw it shut down by the Taliban. In October, 2001, they decided to re-open the hospital while the city was still under heavy attacks in order to guarantee medical and humanitarian support to civilian war victims.
Historical Interest
AFGHANISTAN, Colatteral Damage shows life from the perspective of the Afghan people during the time of th US/Allied bombardment, and the treatment of Taliban prisoners of war in Northern Alliance jails. Before 9-11-2001, Afghanistan was regarded as a prime example of a failed state; therefore completely forgotten by the world. This created a safe base for the Taliban and Alqaida to design and prepare their ruthless Jihad against non-muslim and western domination. 9-11 made it clear that the Taliban regime was a hazard to western society which resulted in the US/Allied bombardment.
About Emergency
Emergency is a non-profit, humanitarian organization dedicated to providing assistance to the civilian victims of war, to the wounded and to all those who suffer the consequences of war such as hunger, malnutrition and the lack of medical care. Emergency was established in 1994 in Milan, Italy to come to the aid of civilian victims of war, and began working in Afghanistan in 1999. Emergency also runs clinics in Cambodia, northern Iraq and Sierra Leone, and has worked in danger zones such as Rwanda when other aid agencies wouldn't take the risk.