Producer and director, Oscar nominee Mike Lerner couldn't login Gaza make a heartbreaking documentMissionInstead, Lerner relied on footage filmed on mobile phones by two of Dr Tahir's medical colleagues in the Gaza Strip.
With some 270 journalists killed in Gaza and the Israeli military refusing to allow Western film crews access, medical workers became the only witnesses to the carnage in operating rooms, filming on phones smuggled into the war zone.
“At this time, despite the ceasefire, we still do not want to reveal their identities because we know how ruthlessly the Israelis attack doctors and journalists,” Lerner says. Diversity. “And these guys are doctors and journalists.”
“The Mission,” which will screen at the London Palestine Film Festival on November 25 after premiering at the Amman International Film Festival in July, is directed by a group called Gaza Collective and financed and produced by Lerner's Roast Beef Productions.
Below, Lerner chats with Diversity about the problems of creating “Mission” and bringing it to screens. Watch the doc trailer above.
How did the idea for “Mission” come about?
My friend and longtime co-star Karim Amer (The Great Hack) was in Cairo when Dr. Tahir left Gaza via Rafah after his second mission in August. It just so happened that Karim had a mutual friend with Dr. Tahir, and he ended up going to the Red Sea for a short break. Karim met him there and asked, “Do you want to make a film?” And he said, “Yes.” The next day he flew to London and I met him. That’s how it all started.
What were the next steps?
I describe this film as a miracle. We smuggled these iPhones into Gaza and his two trusted medical assistants filmed him for four months. About a month later we received the first batch of material. Then Tahir came out [of Gaza]we filmed his exit, and then sort of handed over another disc with the material. We shot this film with Tahir, we filmed a lot with him in London. We then went with him to Amman on the way to Gaza. You know, the movie is about what he did and who he was and the difficulties he faced doing it. At first we thought it would be a good idea to get some footage of him doing his job. [surgeon] things at the end of the film. But then [the Gaza material] turns out to be 80% of the film! That's why it's a miracle because these people are obviously super geniuses at filming and they were with him 24/7.
At one moment we see Random pieces of meat are given to Palestinian relatives in body bags so they can mourn their dead. AND Dr. Tahir says, “What kind of world do we live in?” What aspects of the film do you find most shocking?
For me, of course, filming children's deaths is truly shocking, truly painful. You know, we listened to about 100 hours of material. And we made a very specific decision – to show a minimal amount of this goodness. You know, this is not a blood festival. But it was also important that we didn't shy away from reality and used this material to try to tell the story. It's not just an infinite number of operations. There are aspects and themes to this film that I hope people will appreciate. In fact, what worries me most is the parents and their grief for the people they have lost. In some ways, this is even more shocking than the actual deaths or injuries, which are obviously upsetting. But to see how people's lives are devastated because of this. The grief and suffering is unimaginable. And, of course, that's why we wanted to make this film.
We are seeing some positive results too. It sounds like you were also aiming to create an inspiring piece, am I right?
Yes, let's get back to the people who work there. Their compassion; I think that's the most important thing. This so confirms our humanity. I think we've heard a lot about the surgeons who work there. And of course, much of what we hear is simply shocking and terrible. But I don't think we hear enough about them being able to save some lives. And if they save one life, it will be an act of resistance to what the Israelis are trying to do more than anything else. So if they save a life, and if they save a limb, and if they save someone's mobility and their future, then that will be a huge victory for the Palestinian people and for all of humanity.
How will The Mission be distributed through Journeyman Pictures?
We're just starting to find out if this movie will be a success. I mean, I hope that distributors, cinemas and broadcasters find the courage to show it because there is nothing else like it. I mean, there are a few films coming out of Gaza, but nothing like this. And there cannot be another film like it. This is a truly unique and historically important place.
After [London] festival, we are going to do a big awareness campaign and will actively encourage public screenings of the film in hospitals, universities, etc. etc., because in this country this film has a huge audience. [the U.K.] as well as around the world. We'll see if major theaters order it. I mean, they are driven by ticket sales and if they feel the film will do well, they will do so. I imagine there may be some places that will resist this for political reasons, but let's see. More than anything, we want to bring this information to activists in the pro-Palestinian community. Because we really see the film as an act of resistance.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
Courtesy of Roast Beef Productions
