The Ghosts of War: Canada wages peace in Afghanistan
A 3World Media Documentary Film
In the summer of 2003, the Canadian Armed Forces began the largest buildup of troops on foreign soil since the Korean War. In late 2005 they were moved further south under the American command of Operation Enduring Freedom. Sent in response to the escalating violence, more than two thousand Canadian soldiers now man outposts and patrol in one of the most hostile places of the world: Kandahar, a bleak expanse of hilled desert wasteland and ancient villages, and front-line against the Taliban insurgency.
Even though special humanitarian units comprised of political and engineering personnel assist with the rebuilding efforts, similar to past missions, this time things are markedly more deadly. Task Force Afghanistan operates with aggressive rules of engagement: locate the Taliban and neutralize them. Code-named ‘Archer’, this operation puts the Canadian infantry on the hunt for guerrilla fighters bent on destroying the fragile hope of the new democracy. Perhaps this explains why a survey conducted in March shows 2 out of 3 Canadians believe, incorrectly, that the main role of the Canadian troops in Afghanistan is peacekeeping…
The Ghosts of War follows these men and woman of the Canadian Armed Forces sent to wage peace in Afghanistan. But, their mission is far from the peacekeeping role many Canadians are comfortable with. Whether on patrol, or in mid-meal, danger, fatigue and isolation stalk our soldiers as real as any roadside bomb, mortar attack or fire-fight. With either the threat of imminent attack or the cheers of school-children waiting within the village up ahead, this story tackles the question on everyone’s lips: what are we doing in Afghanistan?
The film is an attempt to personalize the Canadian experience through the intimate documentation of Richard Fitoussi and Brooks Bergreen; a photojournalist and communications technician who first met in Afghanistan in 2004. Their documentary partnership would capture the deaths of four Canadian soldiers as well as active footage of two other soldiers, a man and a woman who both died shortly after completion of filming. Fitoussi himself who narrowly survived an IED attack by a mere 15 feet relives his experience with commentary of the events by both he and Bergreen. Events in the film are juxtaposed by contrasting views from recognized Canadian experts on international affairs and the military, journalists in the field, families of the deceased soldiers and others.
Canadians need a close-up view of the day-in, day-out particulars of nation building and peace-making. From chairing village council meetings, to search and destroy and reconnaissance patrols, this view may shock, enrage or inspire you. The daily threat to life ‘over there’ will no longer matter only to soldiers, nor will hope for the future of a shattered nation concern only Afghanis. Success will mean peace and stability in a land that has seen near continuous war for over fifty years. Failure could mean anarchy and another failed state, with drastic consequences for the world’s security.
