Documentary Review: War Don Don

Last month I saw an independent film called War Don Don at the West End Cinema in Washington, DC. I was fortunate to be able to be present as the director/producer, Rebecca Richman Cohen was available for a question and answer session after the viewing of the film.

War Don Don is a film that delves into the effectiveness of the United Nations (UNs) Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL). The UNs SCSL was set up as a partnership between the government of Sierra Leone and the United Nations as way to bring to justice the individuals who were responsible for the for the violations of Sierra Leone's and International Community's Humanitarian laws. What was so interesting about this documentary is the fact that it questioned the effectiveness of these special courts. Is justice really being served by prosecuting a few individuals? Are these individuals the only ones that should shoulder the blame for these violations that took place during a horrific civil war?

This specific documentary covers the trial of Issa Sesay, a formal battle field Commander of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF). The film takes a look from both sides, the prosecution and the defense. The prosecution is charged with proving beyond a reasonable doubt that Issa Sesay, one of the key figures in the peace negotiations that ended a long bloody civil war, should bear the responsibility for the atrocious acts against the citizens of Sierra Leone. Such atrocities included the recruitment of child soldiers, amputating the limbs of many citizens of the country, as well as the rape and mass killings of the it's citizens. The defense, while not trying to dispute the fact that Issa Sessay was a battlefield commander of the RUF, must try to prove that Issa Sessay cannot be held responsible for all of the atrocities that occurred during the civil war. They must prove that he in no way authorized or condoned such treatment of the people he was fighting to set free from a corrupt and oppressed government.

The documentary also looked at the peculiar relationship the court has with the every day citizens of Sierra Leone that lived through this civil war. They do want and would like to see justice but at what cost. They see the outside nations pouring millions of dollars into the SCSL to prosecute a few individuals while poverty and joblessness runs rampant in the country.

If you have a chance, I recommend seeing the film. It has been running on HBO for the last month. You can also purchase the DVD online from the following Website: http://www.wardondonfilm.com/film.

I hope you enjoy the film as much as I did.