It is a dirty war of vigilante justice, rag-tag militias and indiscriminate killing of civilians. This stunning and intimate film gets right into the stark reality of the front line battle for Syria.
In a shot-out car a dead man lies across his wife in a hopeless attempt to save her. The rebels here, led by former army colonel Abu Muhammad, thought they had cleared the snipers from this area. His men are immensely brave and committed, but also undisciplined: "If they follow 15% of the plan that's great!" Snipers have become key to the Government strategy and leave a trail of dead bodies in their wake. However, it's not just the government who are guilty of excesses. When the rebels capture a civilian trying to sell information to the army, they torture him for two hours. Their current "marriage of convenience" with Islamic fundamentalists also worries Abu. "The real battle for Syria begins after victory. We will fight anyone who tries to turn our country into an extreme Islamic state." Nominee, Best Current Affairs Production - Impact Media Summit Awards
Clover Films
Feminist punk band Pussy Riot made headlines worldwide and helped to galvanise a growing wave of discontent across Russia. Now, despite an increasingly harsh crackdown, protesters are refusing to be silenced.
It was a performance designed to provoke. Unleashing mayhem in Moscow's holiest cathedral, "was a prayer to the Virgin, asking her to drive Putin away and change our political system", the band say. But the state's heavy-handed response has achieved more than Pussy Riot could ever have dreamed of, with 100,000 people taking to the streets of Moscow to demand change, fighting what they see as a return to authoritarian repression. Among the crowd is Gennady Gudkov, a former KGB Officer and senior Member of Parliament who says the government is afraid. "They are making mistakes. That says they are weakening." Others are optimistic that Russia is destined to go the same way as several of the Arab nations and overthrow Putin. "The regime will fall. Nothing lasts forever." With no signs of the protests slowing down, is Russia heading for another winter of discontent?
SBS
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Iran - Man on a Stake
- 6 min 19 sec [8 October 2012]
Before the UN General Assembly had even begun serious debate, anti-Semitic remarks by Ahmadinejad had ignited a firestorm of controversy. As tensions simmer, this report looks at both sides of the story.
Speaking on the holiest of Jewish holidays, President Ahmadinejad's inflammatory remarks at the UN came as a serious affront to New York's Jewish community. Yet Iranian Foreign Minister, Ali Akbar Salehi, insists that on the global political stage, "everyone should be given the chance to give his views" and dismisses claims that Ahmadinejad is being deliberately inflammatory as "absurd". Abe Foxman of the Anti-Defamation League argues that the American press airing his offensive views is equally contentious. "Here is a head of state engaging in language similar to that of Hitler, who publicly says that we'll wipe out this country of Jews, yet he sits with CNN. I find it frightening." SBS
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USA - Obama's Swing Voters
- min [8 October 2012]
Obama brushes off debate flop to tackle swing states
A lot has changed in the small town of Roanoke, Virginia, in the last four years. As Obama visits the state, his previously staunch local supporters are having doubts. Can he still hold the swing state?
Chelsea campaigned passionately for Obama in 2008. She hasn't been involved this year, but still supports the President. "I think a lot of people are disenchanted, but I don't know what they expected in four years." Others aren't quite so invested. "He just goes out and charms people" a local shopkeeper says dismissively. "Everyone just expects him to win here", says another. As people fail to be galvanised, is complacency more of an enemy to Obama than Romney?
Guardian News & Media
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Philippines - Mindanao - Crucible of Terror
- 19 min 57 sec [6 June 2005]
Philippines strike a peace deal with Moro separatists
As the Philippine government and its Islamic rebel insurgency (MILF) strike an historic peace deal, this archive report offers a crucial background to a conflict that has killed over 150,000 people.
For 30 years the Bangsamoro Muslims of southern Mindanao have fought a war against the central government. US claims that they are a terrorist hub has been hotly disputed, even by the Philippine government. MILF negotiator Mohaqmer Iqbal argues, "We are not terrorists. We are older than Al Qaeda". As this report shows, this troubled island has a long, complex history, and a fear that outside accusations will hijack their fragile peace talks.
SBS
