We are all of one world – Faces of Afghanistan
I recently showed a rough cut of Bridging War & Hope to the Director of Production at Twin Cities Public Television and my editor on this project. I’ve worked on a number of projects with editor, Jerry Lakso. Working with him on this project will go a long ways in providing a polished piece that clearly tells the story I’m aiming to share.
After the viewing we discussed a few ideas; cut a few scenes, add a few scenes, get into Afghanistan scenes sooner, I was provided a good sense of where I should go and was given affirmation that I’m heading down the right path. Editing video can be a very solitary experience, bringing the project to others to collaborate is a nice experience.
Towards the end of the discussion Jerry said, “this is an intimate look at Afghanistan and Afghans, you’re providing a sense that ‘they’ and ‘them’ are real people.”
If that’s all I do with this project; show you that Afghans indeed are not that different from Minnesotans then I’ll consider this a mission that has been accomplished.
Secretary of State Mark Ritchie sums it up well. In his on-camera interview he talks about the value we should find in allowing the 58 soldiers of the ADT (22 from Minnesota and 36 from Mississippi) inform us through their experiences that we are all of one world.
Here are freeze frames of some of the faces you’ll see in Bridging War & Hope.
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- This is a nomadic herdsman, he brought 6 sheep to market on this day.
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- Prayer beads
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- Kids are kids are kids
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- I cannot help but wonder what these men have experienced.
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- Bridging War and Hope
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- One of the may character-filled faces I saw while with the ADT in Zabul.
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- Much of the success of the ADT hinges on how the Director of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock manages projects after the ADT leave.
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- DAIL officials making a visit to a demonstration farm near FOB Bullard.
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- A child who has grown up within a stone’s throw of FOB Smart.
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- This man will help oversee the demonstration farm project.
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- SGT Hunter of the MN National Guard visiting the demonstration farm.
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- The caretaker of the farm.
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- This man was the caretaker for the demonstration farm. A project that will help Afghan farmers learn improved growing techniques.
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- young man at TWJ demonstration farm
Bridging War & Hope will air this fall on Twin Cities Public Television.
You are doing some wonderful work! Love the reference to “they” and “them” are real people!
thanks Michele…traveling, wherever you end up, is a great way to remind yourself we are all of one world.
I was taught (Thank you Mom & Dad) we are of one race..Human.. I absolutely LOVE these pictures.. Beautiful people…
You have wise, wise parents. Thank you for the kind comment.
Great post! I think one I the better experiences I had while over there was sharing the Rhamadan meal with the ASG on FOB Gardez and also having chi tea on a mountain top outpost with the ANA. Meeting and talking to them helped to see the personal side of the conflict and to remind me that war involves people. Regular people with dreams, hopes, families, etc.
Reblogged this on Project Afghan.
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