November 12, 2011 – A documentary discussing the psychological and physical costs of covering war is being showcased this weekend at the Laemmle Sunset 5, in West Hollywood.
Two journalists were killed in World War I and 63 journalists lost their lives in World War II. In the last two decades, almost one journalist a week has been killed covering war, with the dead numbering now in the thousands. In fact, their death is now wanted, since it seems to produce bigger headlines than the death of a soldier.
It is common to consider the side effects of war in servicemen, but not often does one hear of the repercussions it has on the journalists sending back the images of war. With kidnapping, torture and even beheadings, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is on the rise among front line war correspondents.
UNDER FIRE weaves together combat footage and first-hand accounts by correspondents who were there to reveal what they see, think and feel as they confront an ever increasing savagery of war. Martyn Burke (documentary filmmaker and veteran of battlefields around the world) and Anthony Feinstein (a psychiatrist who treats journalists in healing the trauma) delve into the experiences of top-tier correspondents from AP, New York Times, BBC, the LA Times and others, to bring a deeper understanding and insight into the psychological cost of covering war.
Why do they choose to document the horrors of war? Could the rest of us do without their reports? Is the stress they find themselves under necessary? This interesting documentary, full of amazing photos and videos captured by intrepid journalists abroad, will leave you trying to answer those questions.
Tonight’s screening of the film will be followed by Q & A section with the director and the producer of the film. Laemmle Sunset 5 is located at 8000 Sunset Blvd, in West Hollywood. Purchase tickets here.
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