HBO announces...

As I may have told you, I helped produce a documentary about the crisis in Darfur. It's called "Sand and Sorrow", and it's directed by Peabody Award-winning director, Paul Freedman, and narrated by George Clooney. I can now announce that HBO BOUGHT IT! What a blessing!

The Hollywood Reporter has the story.

It doesn't mention an air date (which we've heard is mid-december). I am so thankful for the potential this offers -- hopefully it'll keep the momentum going to find a lasting solution to the Darfur crisis. I hope you all will be able to watch it. It's not an easy film to watch, because it is such a sad and frustrating story, but it's important. Please spread the word. I know the whole "Let's save Africa!" thing is both condescending and tiring... but it is shameful that we have allowed the first genocide of the 21st century to play out, UNCHECKED.

For more on the film, check out sandandsorrow.org designed by old friend and roommate of 3 years, Andrew Swindler! Thanks Andy!

Even though the UN is making progress in terms of gathering more than 20,000 peacekeeping troops to send to the region,
(a) who knows what kind of MANDATE those troops will have (ie, will they only be able to OBSERVE what is going on? or act to stop it?)

(b) most of the troops have been volunteered by African nations, which is great... except that those guys will comprise the majority of the infantry division. The UN needs richer member states to voluteer highly-trained soldiers (who can pilot attack helicopters etc) to round out these forces so that they can actually make a deeper impact. Let's see if that happens.

By the way, God bless Bangladesh; they volunteered troops for Darfur. That country has very little and yet always gives a lot. Remember Katrina? They pledged $1m to Katrina victims. This from a country whose citizens earn an average of $2000 a YEAR. (via CIA Factbook)

There's a lesson in there for all of us.

-x-
aarti