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{{Use British English|date=February 2014}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2014}}
{{Infobox television
{{Infobox television
| show_name = No Fire Zone : The Killing Fields of Sri Lanka
| show_name = No Fire Zone : The Killing Fields of Sri Lanka
| image =
| image =
| image_size =
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| production_website = http://nofirezone.org/
| production_website = http://nofirezone.org/
}}
}}
'''No Fire Zone: In the Killing Fields of Sri Lanka''' is an investigative documentary about the final weeks of the [[Alleged war crimes during the final stages of the Sri Lankan Civil War|Sri Lankan Civil War]]. The documentary covers the period from September 2008 until the end of the war in 2009 in which thousands of [[Tamil people]] were killed by shelling and extrajudicial executions by the [[Sri Lanka Army|Sri Lankan Army]] including [[Balachandran Prabhakaran]], the 12-year-old son of the slain [[Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam]] (LTTE) Chief [[Velupillai Prabhakaran]].<ref>Joseph, Manu. "Revisiting the Horror in Sri Lanka." ''The New York Times.'' 3 March 2013</ref> The Sri Lankan army has denied the allegations in the documentary <ref>{{cite web|url=http://pulitzercenter.org/projects/sri-lanka-kilinochchi-civil-war-human-rights-justice-tamil-tigers |title= No Fire Zone: In the Killing Fields of Sri Lanka|publisher=pulitzercenter.org|date=|accessdate=19 February 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/handed-a-snack-and-then-executed-the-last-hours-of-the-12yearold-son-of-a-tamil-tiger-8500295.html|title= Handed a snack, and then executed: the last hours of the 12-year-old son of a Tamil Tiger|publisher=The Independent|date=18 February 2013|accessdate=19 February 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=36063|title= Channel 4 releases documentary evidence on SL war crime|publisher=www.Tamilnet.com|date=19 February 2013|accessdate=19 February 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/this-is-proof-beyond-reasonable-doubt-of-the-execution-of-a-child--not-a-battlefield-death-8500298.html|title= This is proof, beyond reasonable doubt, of the execution of a child – not a battlefield death |publisher=The Independent|date=18 February 2013|accessdate=19 February 2013}}</ref><br />
'''No Fire Zone: In the Killing Fields of Sri Lanka''' is an investigative documentary about the final weeks of the [[Alleged war crimes during the final stages of the Sri Lankan Civil War|Sri Lankan Civil War]]. The documentary covers the period from September 2008 until the end of the war in 2009 in which thousands of [[Tamil people]] were killed by shelling and extrajudicial executions by the [[Sri Lanka Army|Sri Lankan Army]] including [[Balachandran Prabhakaran]], the 12-year-old son of the slain [[Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam]] (LTTE) Chief [[Velupillai Prabhakaran]].<ref>Joseph, Manu. "Revisiting the Horror in Sri Lanka." ''The New York Times.'' 3 March 2013</ref> The Sri Lankan army has denied the allegations in the documentary <ref>{{cite web|url=http://pulitzercenter.org/projects/sri-lanka-kilinochchi-civil-war-human-rights-justice-tamil-tigers |title= No Fire Zone: In the Killing Fields of Sri Lanka|publisher=pulitzercenter.org|date=|accessdate=19 February 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/handed-a-snack-and-then-executed-the-last-hours-of-the-12yearold-son-of-a-tamil-tiger-8500295.html|title= Handed a snack, and then executed: the last hours of the 12-year-old son of a Tamil Tiger|publisher=The Independent|date=18 February 2013|accessdate=19 February 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=36063|title= Channel 4 releases documentary evidence on SL war crime|publisher=www.Tamilnet.com|date=19 February 2013|accessdate=19 February 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/this-is-proof-beyond-reasonable-doubt-of-the-execution-of-a-child--not-a-battlefield-death-8500298.html|title= This is proof, beyond reasonable doubt, of the execution of a child – not a battlefield death |publisher=The Independent|date=18 February 2013|accessdate=19 February 2013}}</ref>


==Synopsis==

<b>Film Synopsis</b><br />


This powerful and disturbing feature, the product of a three year investigation, tells the story of the final awful months of the 26-year long Sri Lankan civil war:
This powerful and disturbing feature, the product of a three year investigation, tells the story of the final awful months of the 26-year long Sri Lankan civil war:
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both the victims and perpetrators on mobile phones and small cameras during the final 138 days of hell which form the central narrative of the film.
both the victims and perpetrators on mobile phones and small cameras during the final 138 days of hell which form the central narrative of the film.


[http://www.nofirezon.org No Fire Zone] is directed by the Nobel Peace Prize nominee Callum Macrae<ref>{{cite journal|title=ITN Team Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize|journal=Broadcast Now|url=http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/itn-team-nominated-for-nobel-peace-prize/5037484.article|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref>, a Peabody<ref>{{cite web|title=Peabody Award for Sri Lanka's Killing Fields|url=http://www.channel4.com/info/press/news/peabody-award-for-sri-lanka-s-killing-fields-war-crimes-unpunished|website=Channel 4|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref> and Colombia Dupont Broadcast Journalism Award winner<ref>{{cite web|title=2012 Alfred I. duPont-Columbia Award winners announced|url=http://www.journalism.columbia.edu/page/788-the-alfred-i-dupont-columbia-university-award-winners/594|website=Columbia Journalism school|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref> and Greirson<ref>{{cite web|title=Grierson Awards Shortlist 2013|url=http://www.griersontrust.org/past-awards/grierson-2013/shortlist.html|website=The Grierson Trust|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref> and BAFTA nominee. It has already won many awards and is a nominee for an International Emmy Award 2014<ref>{{cite web|title=International Emmy Award Nominees 2014|url=http://www.iemmys.tv/awards_nominees.aspx|website=International Emmy Awards|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref>.
[http://www.nofirezon.org No Fire Zone] is directed by the Nobel Peace Prize nominee Callum Macrae,<ref>{{cite journal|title=ITN Team Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize|journal=Broadcast Now|url=http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/itn-team-nominated-for-nobel-peace-prize/5037484.article|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref> a Peabody<ref>{{cite web|title=Peabody Award for Sri Lanka's Killing Fields|url=http://www.channel4.com/info/press/news/peabody-award-for-sri-lanka-s-killing-fields-war-crimes-unpunished|website=Channel 4|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref> and Colombia Dupont Broadcast Journalism Award winner<ref>{{cite web|title=2012 Alfred I. duPont-Columbia Award winners announced|url=http://www.journalism.columbia.edu/page/788-the-alfred-i-dupont-columbia-university-award-winners/594|website=Columbia Journalism school|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref> and Greirson<ref>{{cite web|title=Grierson Awards Shortlist 2013|url=http://www.griersontrust.org/past-awards/grierson-2013/shortlist.html|website=The Grierson Trust|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref> and BAFTA nominee. It has already won many awards and is a nominee for an International Emmy Award 2014.<ref>{{cite web|title=International Emmy Award Nominees 2014|url=http://www.iemmys.tv/awards_nominees.aspx|website=International Emmy Awards|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref>


No Fire Zone is already something of an international phenomenon<ref>{{cite web|title=Britdoc Impact Awards 2014|url=http://www.britdocimpactaward.org/files/nofirezone.pdf|website=Britdoc Impact Awards|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref>. Not just an agenda setting investigation, but a cinematic tour de force – a stunning and disturbing film in its own right. It was described as "beautifully crafted and heart wrenching” by the Pulitzer Center for Crisis Reporting in Washington<ref>{{cite web|title=No Fire Zone" Screens at Pulitzer Center Week-Long Film Festival|url=http://pulitzercenter.org/blog/global-crises-human-stories-film-festival-no-fire-zone-screenings-sri-lanka-mass-murder|website=Pulitzer centre on crisis reporting|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref>, "utterly convincing" by the Globe and Mail in Toronto - and in the UK, Empire noted: "It is vitally important that this feature reaches the widest possible audience”. One critic in Australia described it as “the most devastating film I have seen”, whilst the London Film Review says "No Fire Zone shocks on every level. It shocks, it educates, and it convinces"<ref>{{cite web|title=Online Now: No Fire Zone: The Killing Fields of Sri Lanka|url=http://www.thelondonfilmreview.com/film-review/review-no-fire-zone/|website=The London Film review|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref>
No Fire Zone is already something of an international phenomenon.<ref>{{cite web|title=Britdoc Impact Awards 2014|url=http://www.britdocimpactaward.org/files/nofirezone.pdf|website=Britdoc Impact Awards|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref> Not just an agenda setting investigation, but a cinematic tour de force – a stunning and disturbing film in its own right. It was described as "beautifully crafted and heart wrenching” by the Pulitzer Center for Crisis Reporting in Washington,<ref>{{cite web|title=No Fire Zone" Screens at Pulitzer Center Week-Long Film Festival|url=http://pulitzercenter.org/blog/global-crises-human-stories-film-festival-no-fire-zone-screenings-sri-lanka-mass-murder|website=Pulitzer centre on crisis reporting|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref> "utterly convincing" by the Globe and Mail in Toronto - and in the UK, Empire noted: "It is vitally important that this feature reaches the widest possible audience”. One critic in Australia described it as “the most devastating film I have seen”, whilst the London Film Review says "No Fire Zone shocks on every level. It shocks, it educates, and it convinces"<ref>{{cite web|title=Online Now: No Fire Zone: The Killing Fields of Sri Lanka|url=http://www.thelondonfilmreview.com/film-review/review-no-fire-zone/|website=The London Film review|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref>


It has been widely praised by personalities as disparate as the rapper M.I.A<ref>{{cite web|title=M.I.A Website|url=http://miauniverse.tumblr.com/|website=M.I.A Official site|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref> and the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, who said: ”No Fire Zone is one of the most chilling documentaries I’ve watched…<ref>{{cite news|title=David Cameron warns of Sri Lanka 'questions'.Many of the images are truly shocking. This documentary raises very serious questions that the Sri Lankan government must answer about what it did to protect innocent civilians… Questions that need answers if Sri Lanka is to build the truly peaceful and inclusive future its people deserve.|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/srilanka/10438705/David-Cameron-warns-of-Sri-Lanka-questions.html|accessdate=10 December 2014|agency=Daily Telegraph}}</ref>”<br />
It has been widely praised by personalities as disparate as the rapper M.I.A<ref>{{cite web|title=M.I.A Website|url=http://miauniverse.tumblr.com/|website=M.I.A Official site|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref> and the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, who said: ”No Fire Zone is one of the most chilling documentaries I’ve watched…<ref>{{cite news|title=David Cameron warns of Sri Lanka 'questions'.Many of the images are truly shocking. This documentary raises very serious questions that the Sri Lankan government must answer about what it did to protect innocent civilians… Questions that need answers if Sri Lanka is to build the truly peaceful and inclusive future its people deserve.|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/srilanka/10438705/David-Cameron-warns-of-Sri-Lanka-questions.html|accessdate=10 December 2014|agency=Daily Telegraph}}</ref>”


==Film==

<b>THE FILM</b><br />


In March 2013, the documentary was screened by its director, [[Callum Macrae]], at the 22nd session of the [[United Nations Human Rights Council]] in [[Geneva, Switzerland|Geneva]]."Exposed in Geneva: Doublespeak of Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and FIFDH." ''Asian Times.'' 2 February 2013.
In March 2013, the documentary was screened by its director, [[Callum Macrae]], at the 22nd session of the [[United Nations Human Rights Council]] in [[Geneva, Switzerland|Geneva]]."Exposed in Geneva: Doublespeak of Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and FIFDH." ''Asian Times.'' 2 February 2013.


The film was not released in theatres in India as [[Central Board of Film Certification]] did not approved it. In response to this attempt at censorship No fire Zone was released online for free in India and Malaysia as well as Sri Lanka and Nepal.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/worldcinema/film-on-sri-lankan-war-banned-in-india/article1-1187291.aspx|title=Film on Sri Lankan war banned in India|first= Gautaman|last= Bhaskaran|publisher=Hindustan Times|place=Chennai|date=23 February 2014|accessdate=23 February 2014}}</ref><br />
The film was not released in theatres in India as [[Central Board of Film Certification]] did not approved it. In response to this attempt at censorship No fire Zone was released online for free in India and Malaysia as well as Sri Lanka and Nepal.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/worldcinema/film-on-sri-lankan-war-banned-in-india/article1-1187291.aspx|title=Film on Sri Lankan war banned in India|first= Gautaman|last= Bhaskaran|publisher=Hindustan Times|place=Chennai|date=23 February 2014|accessdate=23 February 2014}}</ref>




==Controversy==
<b>RECOGNITION FOR THE FILM</b><br />


⚫
Despite the painstaking checking and independent verification of the footage contained within the film, the Sri Lankan government continue to maintain that the footage contained within the film is faked.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sri Lanka disputes truth of documentary on alleged war crimes by its soldiers|url=http://www.thenational.ae/news/world/south-asia/sri-lanka-disputes-truth-of-documentary-on-alleged-war-crimes-by-its-soldiers|website=The National|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref> However as more and more evidence continues to emerge this position becomes ever more untenable.


⚫
In March 2014 the United Nations Commission on Human Rights voted to establish an independent international inquiry<ref>{{cite web|title=U.N. Approves Investigation of Civil War in Sri Lanka|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/28/world/asia/un-rights-council-sri-lanka.html?_r=0|website=New York Times|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref> into the events covered in the film and subsequent and ongoing human rights abuses in Sri Lanka. Despite the international mandate for this inquiry the government of Sri Lanka has refused to cooperate <ref>{{cite web|title=UN rights chief condemns ‘disinformation campaign’ to discredit Sri Lanka probe|url=http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=49278#.VIhEansRlyx|website=UN News Centre|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref> and has denied the UNCHR investigators entry to Sri Lanka.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sri Lanka president adamant on barring U.N. war crimes investigators|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/08/19/us-sri-lanka-rights-idUSKBN0GJ0NT20140819|website=Reuters|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref>
NO FIRE ZONE has received popular acclaim from Film Festivals around the world and has been shown at festivals in over 25 Countries including<br />
CPH:DOX Copenhagen 2013 - FACT Award Jury Special Mention<ref>{{cite web|title=13 Films compete for FACT award|url=http://cphdox.dk/en/content/12-films-compete-fact-award-2013|website=CPH:Docs Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref><br />


⚫
The Government of Sri Lanka have also been active in trying to prevent the film being seen. Just prior to No Fire Zone being screened at the Film south Asia festival in Nepal, the Nepalese government were pressurised by the Government of Sri Lanka into trying to have the advertised screening stopped.<ref>{{cite web|title=Film Southasia kicks off amid pressure to ban 3 Lanka films|url=http://www.ekantipur.com/the-kathmandu-post/2013/10/03/top-story/film-southasia-kicks-off-amid-pressure-to-ban-3-lanka-films/254347.html|website=Kathmandu Post|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref> The organisers of the festival bravely ignored the ban and held two screenings rather than the single advertised screening.
Festival des Libertes 2013 - Winner of FIDH Best Film Award.<ref>{{cite web|title=FIDH@Festival Des Libertes 2013|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/fidh-international-federation-for-human-rights/sets/72157637631478564/|website=FIDH@Festival des Libertés 2013|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref><br />


⚫
Again in Malaysia, despite the film having already been screened at the Malaysian parliament, a private human rights organisation screening of the film in Kuala Lumpur was raided and the organisers arrested.<ref>{{cite web|title=Malaysian Police Raid Screening of "No Fire Zone"|url=http://pulitzercenter.org/blog/malaysia-police-raid-sri-lanka-callum-macrae-director-no-fire-zone-human-rights-genocide-tamil-tigers-violence-commonwealth-UN|website=Pulitzer Centre on Crisis Reporting|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref>
Nuremberg Film Festival 2013 - Winner of Audience Award<ref>{{cite web|title=The NIHRFF Audience Award went to No Fire Zone: The Killing Fields of Sri Lanka.|url=http://www.filmfestival-der-menschenrechte.de/en|website=Nuremburg International Human Rights Film Festival 2013|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref><br />

Film South Asia<ref>{{cite web|title=No Fire Zone wins special mention|url=http://www.filmsouthasia.org/film/no-fire-zone/|website=Film south Asia|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref> 2013 - Special Jury Mention.<br />

WatchDocs Poland 2014 - Winner of Audience Award<ref>{{cite web|title=13th Watchdocs Audience Award|url=http://www.watchdocs.pl/2014/a/13th_watch_docs_audience_award-article-161-en.html|website=Watchdocs International film Festival|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref>.<br />

One World Film Festival Prague 2014 - Winner Vaclav Havel Jury Special Mention<ref>{{cite web|title=And the winner is...|url=http://www.oneworld.cz/2014/news/553-and-the-winner-is.htm|website=One World Film Festival|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref>.<br />

Docudays UA - Kiev 2014 - Winner of Jury Special Mention.<ref>{{cite web|title=Winners|url=http://www.docudays.org.ua/eng/archivepage/2014/post-relis|website=Docudays UA|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref><br />

Festival internacional de Cine y Video de Derochos Humanos Buenos Aires 2013 - Winner Jury Special
Mention.<br />

Oslo International film festival 2013.<br />

Movies That Matter 2013<ref>{{cite web|title=Movies that Matter 2013|url=http://www.moviesthatmatter.nl/english_index/festival/programma_en/film_en/1296|website=Movies that Matter|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref>.<br />

FIFDH Geneva 2013<ref>{{cite web|title=FIDH 2013 Geneva|url=http://www.fifdh.org/2013/index.php?rubID=16&lan=en&filmID=264|website=FIDH|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref>.<br />

Tricontinental Human Right Film Festival 2013<ref>{{cite web|title=Tricontinents Film Festival 2013|url=http://www.3continentsfestival.co.za/?p=316|website=Tricontinents Film Festival|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref>.<br />

Freedom Film Festival] Malaysia 2013<ref>{{cite web|title=Freedom Film Fest 2013|url=http://freedomfilmfest.komas.org/freedom-film-festival-2013-2/|website=Freedom Film Fest Malaysia|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref>.<br />

Addis International film Festival 2013.<br />

Sheffield Documentary Festival 2013<ref>{{cite web|title=Sheffield Docuentary Film Festival 2013|url=https://sheffdocfest.com/films/show/5553|website=Sheffield Documentary Film Festival|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref>.<br />


No Fire Zone (TV version) was nominated for Best Documentary at the 2014 International Emmy Awards<ref>{{cite web|title=International Emmys Nominees 2014|url=http://www.iemmys.tv/awards_nominees.aspx|website=International Academy of Film and Television Sciences|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref> and was awarded the Britdoc Impact Award <ref>{{cite web|title=Britdoc Impact Award Winners 2014|url=http://www.britdocimpactaward.org/|website=Britdoc|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref> as well as being shortlisted for a Grierson award <ref>{{cite web|title=Grierson Awards Shortlist 2013|url=http://www.griersontrust.org/past-awards/grierson-2013/shortlist.html|website=The Grierson Trust|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref>.
<br />
<br />

<b>CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING THE FILM</b><br />

⚫
Despite the painstaking checking and independent verification of the footage contained within the film, the Sri Lankan government continue to maintain that the footage contained within the film is faked <ref>{{cite web|title=Sri Lanka disputes truth of documentary on alleged war crimes by its soldiers|url=[http://www.thenational.ae/news/world/south-asia/sri-lanka-disputes-truth-of-documentary-on-alleged-war-crimes-by-its-soldiers|website=The National|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref>. However as more and more evidence continues to emerge this position becomes ever more untenable.

⚫
In March 2014 the United Nations Commission on Human Rights voted to establish an independent international inquiry<ref>{{cite web|title=U.N. Approves Investigation of Civil War in Sri Lanka|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/28/world/asia/un-rights-council-sri-lanka.html?_r=0|website=New York Times|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref> into the events covered in the film and subsequent and ongoing human rights abuses in Sri Lanka. Despite the international mandate for this inquiry the government of Sri Lanka has refused to cooperate <ref>{{cite web|title=UN rights chief condemns ‘disinformation campaign’ to discredit Sri Lanka probe|url=http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=49278#.VIhEansRlyx|website=UN News Centre|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref> and has denied the UNCHR investigators entry to Sri Lanka <ref>{{cite web|title=Sri Lanka president adamant on barring U.N. war crimes investigators|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/08/19/us-sri-lanka-rights-idUSKBN0GJ0NT20140819|website=Reuters|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref>.

⚫
The Government of Sri Lanka have also been active in trying to prevent the film being seen. Just prior to No Fire Zone being screened at the Film south Asia festival in Nepal, the Nepalese government were pressurised by the Government of Sri Lanka into trying to have the advertised screening stopped<ref>{{cite web|title=Film Southasia kicks off amid pressure to ban 3 Lanka films|url=http://www.ekantipur.com/the-kathmandu-post/2013/10/03/top-story/film-southasia-kicks-off-amid-pressure-to-ban-3-lanka-films/254347.html|website=Kathmandu Post|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref>. The organisers of the festival bravely ignored the ban and held two screenings rather than the single advertised screening.

⚫
Again in Malaysia, despite the film having already been screened at the Malaysian parliament, a private human rights organisation screening of the film in Kuala Lumpur was raided and the organisers arrested <ref>{{cite web|title=Malaysian Police Raid Screening of “No Fire Zone”|url=http://pulitzercenter.org/blog/malaysia-police-raid-sri-lanka-callum-macrae-director-no-fire-zone-human-rights-genocide-tamil-tigers-violence-commonwealth-UN|website=Pulitzer Centre on Crisis Reporting|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref>.


Just prior to the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting held in Colombo a book entitled Corrupted Journalism<ref>{{cite web|title=Corrupted Journalism and Channel 4|url=http://www.corruptedjournalism.com/book/Corrupted%20Journalism.pdf|website=Corrupted Journalism|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref> appeared. This book is published and written by a mysterious group called "Engage Sri Lanka<ref>{{cite web|title=Engage Sri Lanka|url=http://www.engagesrilanka.com/index.html|website=Engage Sri Lanka|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref>" but is widely believed to be a product of the Sri Lankan government and is widely believed to be an attempt to propagate the Sri Lankan government line that the allegations made in the film and the previous two documentaries shown on UK television by Channel 4 are false. This book was widely distributed and was even included in the delegate pack at the conference<ref>{{cite web|title=Corrupted journalism included in CHOGM delgate pack|url=http://www.channel4.com/news/sri-lanka-corrupted-journalism-and-channel-4-news|website=Channel 4|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref> until removed at the insistence of the Commonwealth secretariat. Links to the publication also appeared on the Home pages of Sri Lankan Embassy websites around the World.
Just prior to the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting held in Colombo a book entitled Corrupted Journalism<ref>{{cite web|title=Corrupted Journalism and Channel 4|url=http://www.corruptedjournalism.com/book/Corrupted%20Journalism.pdf|website=Corrupted Journalism|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref> appeared. This book is published and written by a mysterious group called "Engage Sri Lanka<ref>{{cite web|title=Engage Sri Lanka|url=http://www.engagesrilanka.com/index.html|website=Engage Sri Lanka|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref>" but is widely believed to be a product of the Sri Lankan government and is widely believed to be an attempt to propagate the Sri Lankan government line that the allegations made in the film and the previous two documentaries shown on UK television by Channel 4 are false. This book was widely distributed and was even included in the delegate pack at the conference<ref>{{cite web|title=Corrupted journalism included in CHOGM delgate pack|url=http://www.channel4.com/news/sri-lanka-corrupted-journalism-and-channel-4-news|website=Channel 4|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref> until removed at the insistence of the Commonwealth secretariat. Links to the publication also appeared on the Home pages of Sri Lankan Embassy websites around the World.


In response to the allegations made within this book Channel 4 published a detailed rebuttal written by the film's director Callum Macrae entitled The Uncorrupted Truth <ref>{{cite web|title=The Uncorrupted Truth|url=http://www.channel4.com/microsites/S/sri-lankas-killing-fields/The%20Uncorrupted%20Truth_R7.pdf|website=Channel 4|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref><br />
In response to the allegations made within this book Channel 4 published a detailed rebuttal written by the film's director Callum Macrae entitled The Uncorrupted Truth <ref>{{cite web|title=The Uncorrupted Truth|url=http://www.channel4.com/microsites/S/sri-lankas-killing-fields/The%20Uncorrupted%20Truth_R7.pdf|website=Channel 4|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref>
<br /><br />
<br />

'''PRESS COVERAGE'''<br />

Hundreds of articles have been published around the world about the film - but 10 significant ones might
include:<br />

(1) [http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/the-killing-of-a-youngboy/%20article4428792.ece An OpEd piece in The Hindu] - arguably India's most influential newspaper. A front page news story was run in the same edition. <br />

(2)[[[http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/mar/01/srilanka-%20un-human-rights An Editorial in the Guardian]|]] which said that following the screening of No Fire Zone, the UN must
take a "long hard look" at the allegations.<br />

(3)[http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/28/world/asia/28ihtletter28.%20html?_r=0&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1398334778-LOKPlsvhsCMItC/fEOgT7g A piece in the New York Times] <br />

(4)[http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/03/sri-lanka-slaughter-no-fire-zone A 1800 word feature about the film by Callum Macrae in the Guardian] "Slaughter in the No Fire Zone"<br />

(5) [http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-11/13/c_132885423.htm A report from the Chinese media] - with pictures showing the orchestrated pro-government
demonstrations against Channel 4 and the film's director <br />

(6) [https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/facing-death-threats-ahead-of-visit-to-commonwealthmeeting/ Facing Death Threats ahead of Visit to Commonwealth Meeting]. Colombo Telegraph<br />

(7) Lead OpEd piece in the Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/opinion/editpage/
Dont-shelve-human-rights/articleshow/25274969.cms<br />

(8)[http://www.arabnews.com/news/530031 One of many international reports on the "Defy the Ban"] campaign - this one from Arab News<br />

(9)[http://www.thehindu.com/news/national%20/cbfc-refuses-to-certify-film-on-sri-lankan-war/article5717208.ece Indian Film Board refuses certification for No Fire Zone].<br />

(10) [https://www.youtube.com%20/watch?v=ES_SvcWTdjo%20 Typical Sri Lankan TV News report of pro govt demo against Channel 4 and No Fire Zone director Callum Macrae] <br />





== References ==
== References ==
Line 159: Line 82:
*[http://www.channel4.com/programmes/no-fire-zone/4od No Fire Zone] on [[4oD]]
*[http://www.channel4.com/programmes/no-fire-zone/4od No Fire Zone] on [[4oD]]
*{{IMDb title|2949516}}
*{{IMDb title|2949516}}
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ml3KprXzufg&feature=youtu.be No Fire Zone film trailer]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ml3KprXzufg&feature=youtu.be No Fire Zone film trailer]


{{Sri Lankan Civil War in Popular Culture}}
{{Sri Lankan Civil War in Popular Culture}}

Revision as of 05:09, 11 December 2014

No Fire Zone
GenreDocumentary
Directed byCallum Macrae
Narrated byRufus Sewell
ComposerWayne Roberts
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Production
ProducerZoe Sale
Production locationsSri Lanka
United Kingdom
EditorMichael Nollet
Running time96 Minutes
Original release
NetworkChannel 4

No Fire Zone: In the Killing Fields of Sri Lanka is an investigative documentary about the final weeks of the Sri Lankan Civil War. The documentary covers the period from September 2008 until the end of the war in 2009 in which thousands of Tamil people were killed by shelling and extrajudicial executions by the Sri Lankan Army including Balachandran Prabhakaran, the 12-year-old son of the slain Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Chief Velupillai Prabhakaran.[1] The Sri Lankan army has denied the allegations in the documentary [2][3][4][5]

Synopsis

This powerful and disturbing feature, the product of a three year investigation, tells the story of the final awful months of the 26-year long Sri Lankan civil war: This harrowing but gripping story is told by the people who lived through the war - and through some of the most dramatic and disturbing video evidence ever seen. This footage - direct evidence of war crimes, summary execution, torture and sexual violence - was recorded by both the victims and perpetrators on mobile phones and small cameras during the final 138 days of hell which form the central narrative of the film.

No Fire Zone is directed by the Nobel Peace Prize nominee Callum Macrae,[6] a Peabody[7] and Colombia Dupont Broadcast Journalism Award winner[8] and Greirson[9] and BAFTA nominee. It has already won many awards and is a nominee for an International Emmy Award 2014.[10]

No Fire Zone is already something of an international phenomenon.[11] Not just an agenda setting investigation, but a cinematic tour de force – a stunning and disturbing film in its own right. It was described as "beautifully crafted and heart wrenching” by the Pulitzer Center for Crisis Reporting in Washington,[12] "utterly convincing" by the Globe and Mail in Toronto - and in the UK, Empire noted: "It is vitally important that this feature reaches the widest possible audience”. One critic in Australia described it as “the most devastating film I have seen”, whilst the London Film Review says "No Fire Zone shocks on every level. It shocks, it educates, and it convinces"[13]

It has been widely praised by personalities as disparate as the rapper M.I.A[14] and the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, who said: ”No Fire Zone is one of the most chilling documentaries I’ve watched…[15]”

Film

In March 2013, the documentary was screened by its director, Callum Macrae, at the 22nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva."Exposed in Geneva: Doublespeak of Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and FIFDH." Asian Times. 2 February 2013.

The film was not released in theatres in India as Central Board of Film Certification did not approved it. In response to this attempt at censorship No fire Zone was released online for free in India and Malaysia as well as Sri Lanka and Nepal.[16]


Controversy

Despite the painstaking checking and independent verification of the footage contained within the film, the Sri Lankan government continue to maintain that the footage contained within the film is faked.[17] However as more and more evidence continues to emerge this position becomes ever more untenable.

In March 2014 the United Nations Commission on Human Rights voted to establish an independent international inquiry[18] into the events covered in the film and subsequent and ongoing human rights abuses in Sri Lanka. Despite the international mandate for this inquiry the government of Sri Lanka has refused to cooperate [19] and has denied the UNCHR investigators entry to Sri Lanka.[20]

The Government of Sri Lanka have also been active in trying to prevent the film being seen. Just prior to No Fire Zone being screened at the Film south Asia festival in Nepal, the Nepalese government were pressurised by the Government of Sri Lanka into trying to have the advertised screening stopped.[21] The organisers of the festival bravely ignored the ban and held two screenings rather than the single advertised screening.

Again in Malaysia, despite the film having already been screened at the Malaysian parliament, a private human rights organisation screening of the film in Kuala Lumpur was raided and the organisers arrested.[22]

Just prior to the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting held in Colombo a book entitled Corrupted Journalism[23] appeared. This book is published and written by a mysterious group called "Engage Sri Lanka[24]" but is widely believed to be a product of the Sri Lankan government and is widely believed to be an attempt to propagate the Sri Lankan government line that the allegations made in the film and the previous two documentaries shown on UK television by Channel 4 are false. This book was widely distributed and was even included in the delegate pack at the conference[25] until removed at the insistence of the Commonwealth secretariat. Links to the publication also appeared on the Home pages of Sri Lankan Embassy websites around the World.

In response to the allegations made within this book Channel 4 published a detailed rebuttal written by the film's director Callum Macrae entitled The Uncorrupted Truth [26]

References

  1. ^ Joseph, Manu. "Revisiting the Horror in Sri Lanka." The New York Times. 3 March 2013
  2. ^ "No Fire Zone: In the Killing Fields of Sri Lanka". pulitzercenter.org. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  3. ^ "Handed a snack, and then executed: the last hours of the 12-year-old son of a Tamil Tiger". The Independent. 18 February 2013. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  4. ^ "Channel 4 releases documentary evidence on SL war crime". www.Tamilnet.com. 19 February 2013. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  5. ^ "This is proof, beyond reasonable doubt, of the execution of a child – not a battlefield death". The Independent. 18 February 2013. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  6. ^ "ITN Team Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize". Broadcast Now. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  7. ^ "Peabody Award for Sri Lanka's Killing Fields". Channel 4. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  8. ^ "2012 Alfred I. duPont-Columbia Award winners announced". Columbia Journalism school. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  9. ^ "Grierson Awards Shortlist 2013". The Grierson Trust. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  10. ^ "International Emmy Award Nominees 2014". International Emmy Awards. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  11. ^ "Britdoc Impact Awards 2014" (PDF). Britdoc Impact Awards. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  12. ^ "No Fire Zone" Screens at Pulitzer Center Week-Long Film Festival". Pulitzer centre on crisis reporting. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  13. ^ "Online Now: No Fire Zone: The Killing Fields of Sri Lanka". The London Film review. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  14. ^ "M.I.A Website". M.I.A Official site. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  15. ^ "David Cameron warns of Sri Lanka 'questions'.Many of the images are truly shocking. This documentary raises very serious questions that the Sri Lankan government must answer about what it did to protect innocent civilians… Questions that need answers if Sri Lanka is to build the truly peaceful and inclusive future its people deserve". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  16. ^ Bhaskaran, Gautaman (23 February 2014). "Film on Sri Lankan war banned in India". Chennai: Hindustan Times. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
  17. ^ "Sri Lanka disputes truth of documentary on alleged war crimes by its soldiers". The National. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  18. ^ "U.N. Approves Investigation of Civil War in Sri Lanka". New York Times. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  19. ^ "UN rights chief condemns 'disinformation campaign' to discredit Sri Lanka probe". UN News Centre. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  20. ^ "Sri Lanka president adamant on barring U.N. war crimes investigators". Reuters. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  21. ^ "Film Southasia kicks off amid pressure to ban 3 Lanka films". Kathmandu Post. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  22. ^ "Malaysian Police Raid Screening of "No Fire Zone"". Pulitzer Centre on Crisis Reporting. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  23. ^ "Corrupted Journalism and Channel 4" (PDF). Corrupted Journalism. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  24. ^ "Engage Sri Lanka". Engage Sri Lanka. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  25. ^ "Corrupted journalism included in CHOGM delgate pack". Channel 4. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  26. ^ "The Uncorrupted Truth" (PDF). Channel 4. Retrieved 10 December 2014.

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