The Knightsbridge helping the helpless. Photo/Beyond the call website.
The opening film at the recent Nevada Film Festival, was a gritty feature length documentary entitled "Beyond the Call."
Sir Ed Artis, Sir Dr. James Laws and Sir Walt Ratterman, are the men who go where angels fear to tread.
The title "Sir" is usually reserved for British citizens who have been chosen for knighthood. Historically there have been different knights. These men belong to a group called Knigthtsbridge Int'l.
Filmmaker Adrian Belic, has made an amazing film about three men who respect life above all else and risk theirs to save others.
Afghanistan has been involved in war for years. The Russians ended up with a long term war they couldn't win, much like our own Vietnam conflict. And as history often repeats itself, we are involved in a conflict that no one can win, However the government says we must try, so we must.
As we fight the terrorist groups in Afghanistan, there are innocent victims, refugees. These people often have no food. The refugees have no tents or blankets. Weather is extreme in this region of the world. Hot during the summer and in some places snow during the winter.
Enter the Knightsbridge Int'l. Sir Edward Artis has had experience in the military, 10 years in Vietnam and other theaters as an airborne medic. Artis has been a mortgage banker and has worked in film production. His more than 35 years of humanitarian service have won him several awards. This man doesn't seem like the type of guy who cares about the awards, he cares about the people.
Cardiologist, Sir Dr. James Law, a founding member of the Knightsbridge Int'l, has seen many countries where people had less than nothing. His compassion has taken him to such places as Russia, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Albania, Zaire, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan,Cambodia, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Thai-Burma, and the Philippines. None of these places are on anyones list of vacation spots. He has taken on the job of bringing medicine, medical equipment and medical treatment, to the people who need it most.
Sir Walt Ratterman's expertise is in solar energy and renewable energy. His contributions mean electricity where there was none, heat, phone service, much more. Sir Ratterman wanted to be a member of the Knightsbridge, but after talking many times to Sir Artis, didn't get anywhere..until he mentioned his knowledge of solar power. He is now a vital part of the Knighthood that makes such a difference in people's lives.
"Beyond the Call," is a gritty film that pulls no punches, never making a pretty picture out of anything. Afghanistan is the country they are first shown and spend the most of the film in. People there live in refugee camps, moving away from the Taliban who are fighting the US troops.
The Knights go into an area only a few miles from the front-line fighting. Bombs are literally going off, one right after the other. The hope is that the Taliban don't run toward the refugees, not with Americans in the camp.
It is decided what is needed for these people, food, blankets etc. Money changes hands and then the waiting for the tons of food to arrive. Smiles are on faces of refugees, possibly for the first time in months. It isn't a final answer, but it is a brave act worthy of the title of "Knight."
On to others in the country. Traveling by huge ancient trucks the knights arrive, five or six flat tires later. This group needs tents. An arrangement is made and tents are delivered, lots of them. Doesn't seem like much, but these are life-saving items to the refugees.
Over and over, our heroes promise and deliver to refugees who have no where else to turn.
This work takes it's tole. At one point near the end of the film, Ed Artis suffers a heart attack in the middle of no where. The rush was on to get him to a hospital that could save his life.He remains a part of the Knightsbridge, still giving all he has.
Danger at every turn and little reward except the smiles on the faces of people who have benefited by the generosity of these fine men.
The DVD is available here.
Please note;
This group has mostly financed there trips and good works from their own pockets. They draw no pay from their organization. There is a place on the website for donations. I just mention this because these men do such good work. They go places no other groups will go into, during times of great danger. Just FYI.
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