Critics target Hollywood depiction of humanitarian efforts ("Beyond Borders")

Channelnewsasia ^ | 10 November 2003 1423 hrs | CNA

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LONDON : Critics say the new Hollywood film, "Beyond Borders," could make the situation for relief workers and agencies more precarious, especially in light of the recent bombings of Red Cross offices in Iraq.

The film revolves around the romance between an American socialite and a British aid doctor which spans through a decade of war and torment from famine in Ethiopia to war in Chechnya.

Critics have slammed the movie for putting aid workers at further risk of extremist attacks as its story line is about how the doctor's NGO deals in weapons for the US Central Intelligence Agency.

They have also questioned the apparent endorsement from the United Nations for the film, especially one that could put its workers at risk, hurt the flow of funds and the reputation of NGOs.

Rumours were fuelled when the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and High Commissioner for Refugees Ruud Lubbers attending the film's New York premiere, and also that the script was sent to the UN for approval. The UN has since dismissed the claims.

One university researcher in Washington even attacked the film's characterisation of Ethiopians, Chechens and Cambodians as "victims" dependent on their "white-skinned saviours" or as cruel warlords.

He also criticised the depiction of disaster relief as "hopeless" and "futile" for a "dramatic effect". He says in actual fact, aid relief saves "tens of thousands of lives".

However, he praised the film's detailed portrayal of feeding centres, immunisation programmes, well-drilling and the administrative problems that occur in relief work.

The film, which stars Angelina Jolie and Clive Owen as the two leads, was released in the US last month to a cold box office reception. Film critics have also panned the film. - CNA

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..doctor's NGO deals in weapons for the US Central Intelligence Agency

I guess they didn't like the portrayal of government officials in some of these countries skimming from the top food, medicine..in 'one case' even a payoff of a few weapons to get the food and medicine thru to entire villages dying of hunger. As one woman lying on the operating table cut wide open without anesthesia; when asked of the pain, stated that there was no greater pain than hunger.

The elite at their gala events writing their checks but finding it unimaginable that one among them (the character played by Angelina Jolie)would actually go to one of these countries to render help.