Why did you want to make this documentary?
Because I was tired of reading about these things taking place in the world like Genocide and wondering why very little was being done. Im not a director Im not a producer, I am merely a person who wants to show people what Soldiers and Refugees go through and how even a tiny cell phone can continue to fuel a War. Most Americans never hear or see what is really happening beyond their border. I think its each individuals responsibility to know about the rest of the world, but how can a person know if not enough visibility and knowledge is out in the open. The public alone rarely gets to hear the voice of soldiers or that of Refugees. This is do to our media focusing on the wrong things. Refugees and Soldiers just want to have their story told and for us to actually listen.
How do you believe that Refugees and Soldiers are alike?
Soldiers and Refugees in the end both become victims of war, and the aftermath. Whether the soldier fights, at the end of the day, his or her life will never be the same. Homeless Soldiers especially feel many of the same affects of a Refugee, being homeless, no place to go and have people look at you as a negative. The people they were sworn to protect, aren't protecting them. Refugees and Soldiers are immersed in the war so much that they dont just wear it on their face, but its embedded in their minds, and their dreams. They don’t just live the war, they breath it, it will never leave them, because it becomes them. They are the same because they both had to survive extremes of not feeling human. Then when they are reassured and sent home the inability to adapt is obscure, traumatic and now they have to live with these nightmares for the rest of their lives. They experience the same pain, the same after affects of the darkness of war.
How should people cope with our media today?
Most people pay attention to news, but become sidetracked with the latest gossip. You can even see how our local evening news has started to promote the craze of celebrities and trends, as if that is real news. So in a sense you cant blame a person for watching something that is mind captivating, its uncommon from the usual day-to-day grind of a job. However, I would like to see people less worried about their iPods and more willing to really focus and listen to the people that were not born here that has seen what our country has done and not done. When Katrina happened the media started calling the people âRefugees, because they were literally trying to survive without a home without any ones protection. Many people havent heard the word âRefugee since Vietnam, even though thousands of women, children and families become a Refugee each day. The media is not the core problem but they do direct peoples focus, it continues to make stars more important for headlines rather then Genocide. The only similarity between celebrities and refugees is that they both have become untouchable to people, so untouchable that they aren't seen as real because they are viewed from afar. Because its hard for people to connect with something they don't know. The news and media has a responsibility to provide society with the right information, and what you do with that information is your decision. Basically everyone needs to become more aware of his or her surroundings, and try to get involved more, there are local groups that relocate Refugees, one doesn’t have to go to another continent to feel like their making a difference.
Is Patriotism in our nation too typical?
From a non-Americans point of view yes, but from my own point of view, as an American, No. It is not that its too typical its that the patriotism people think they should follow is not correct. Many think Patriotism means only American, but patriotism is not just about a persons individual country its about Pride of Human Rights. The U.S. has become this selfish animal, and if our country is supposed to be the strong leader that so many say we are, then we need to expand our thinking across our border. We need to stop thinking that other nations are foreign to us; they are our fellow brothers and sisters no matter what nationality, religion or government. Paul Robeson said once âThe patriot is the person who is never satisfied with his country. Yet how many people know who Paul Robeson was?
Why do you think the U.S. should be doing more?
The U.S. never before then right now has held such power, and that is the problem. Our country has grown so dominant that we have almost lost our purpose, (beyond economical development) and we need to regain it back, by making sacrifices that we may not want too. If we really believe in what America is about then it is up to us. I love America and I love what our government is supposed to stand for, but if the âLand of the free does not set the boundaries for human rights and ethics then what can we expect from other nations? If we torture prisoners, then we can only expect that of other governments, If we invade a country, then we can only expect that, If we have nuclear weapons, then we can only expect that from others. And this goes for all democratic nations. I think people would pay more attention to what they buy or what their political leaders say or do if we were more conscience of the effects and outcomes over seas. Because what you dont know could be hurting someone you might never see.
Do you think people are ready to see this Film?
I dont think people are ever ready to see war unless its a fictitious movie or game. Video games, cheap thrill media, and Faux-pseudo journalism for a 2-minute blurb has desensitized us on War, killing should never be a game. When it becomes one thats when you know that we as human beings have lost something. The fact is if we are kept in the dark, then rather see these things happening, even if it is hard to handle, if we ignore what is happening then what do we expect to happen? If we ignore someone elses pain and choose not to get involved then how can we say that we stand for the right things?
What do you hope to achieve with the project?
What I hope to achieve with the film is a wide global awareness, but even if one person sees it and gets involved it was worth it. Its made to honor the courage and spirit of Refugees and Soldiers, to make their voice heard. Hopefully what will come with that is more government help for soldiers and development for Refugees. You cant just throw money at someone and expect them to know how to use it in order to survive and build their community, thats why Global Aid money has fallen short. That and the fact that the "elephant in the room" is not talked about when you say global aid, no one talks about the Dictators. Most of the countries that are heavily bombarded with war, famine and Refugees have Dictators. These countries need to be pushed more by our democratic nations. If we just give financial aid that leaves the Dictators in power to keep doing the exact thing that is causing the problem in the first place. Our governments that financially help, need to literally put their hands in the dirt, build more schools create more free trade, and hold account the Dictators and War Lords that create such human rights violations. If we in this country have no child left behind why shouldnt they have it as well? If you educate people and enable them to adapt so they can provide for themselves you will empower that society. It is up to us to help those who dont have what we take for granted. I do think that the core of human beings is to want to help; the problem lies in how much of the truth they are told and what they perceive. I want to use the documentary for just that, as a tool, to educate people, and drive that fire inside someone to get involved.