What stood out to me was how we don't have to go through the daily struggles that they have to go through. In the US we have many benefits that we don't even think about and take for granted so watching this film made me think about how I can make the world a better place how they did.
The Tutsi are a people of the Democratic Republic of Congo who are being persecuted by their own government who is basically committing genocide. This documentary is sad because two humanitarians, Sasha Chanoff and Sheikha Ali, comes to Congo to rescue 112 people and put them on the last flight out of the republic but while there they encountered mothers and children who are malnourished and are in need of desperate help. The impossible decision to make between saving the 112 or taking the women and children ultimately came down to the women and children which i think touched but saddened many of out hearts. What stood out to me was while Sheikha was analyzing the situation she encountered a Tutsi girl which to Sheikha seemed as if it was a doll but in truth it was actually a human infant. This surprised me because i could have only guesses how malnourished that child was. In the end i think the lesson learned from this story was that depending on your decisions and actions you can save and alter the future.
Who gets to decide who lives or dies? In the short film, "An impossible choice" records history of the rescue mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The united states government could not help every refugee escape to safety. So instead they approved for 112 refugees on the list to be helped. I found this to be so tragic, thousands of good people trapped and begging for help to save them, wishing someone could save them. Then two people, come saying their here to save only 112 refugees on the list. Who decide whether someone lives or dies? Last time I check we all shed the same blood no one on this earth has the right to decide if someone lives or dies. I find this video to be inspiring that Sheikha Ali knew the risk of add more than 112 refugees but still added them, that took real guts. Meanwhile i was every suprise with how Sasha Chanoff a man who seems to go by the book actually decided to break the rules knowing the risk that may come behind it. However I still don't believe they had the right to decide this major decision. For this is life or death, if they don't get on the plane who knows how long they may lie in those conditions. I feel very strongly on this subject because no needs to live like the Democratic Republican are living. So again I ask who gets to decide whether people live or dies? What gives them the right to decipher this huge decision?
The moments that stood out to me in the film was how unhealthy the Tutsi people were when Sasha and Sheikha flew into the Democratic Republic of Congo. I was quite surprised when Sasha agreed to help Sheikha because he seems like he is a "by the book" type of person. The film club ignited sadness in me because of how hopeless the people were. Even if they were able to flee for refuge, the people were leaving family behind. Some of the questions that I still have are how the other people doing and did any of them take advantage of the opportunities in America like free education.
I was shocked at how malnourished the Tutsi refugees were, they did not have enough foods and water. The living conditions is horrendous, the area look crowded and lack sanitary. The people lack many basic necessities, the situation appear hopeless. I admired the humanitarians efforts to help these people escape, it was a difficult decision to take the women and children with them. I was also surprised that they choose to go against their instruction because they are risking many lives. It is sad that they have to leave their friend and family behind along with their old life but they now have the opportunity to have a better life.
I totally agree with Iyanna Brown statement "I was quite surprised when Sasha agreed to help Sheikha because he seems like he is a by the book type of person." In my opinion I assumed Sasha Chanoff was a women who was a humanitarian involved in helping rescue the Democratic Republic of Congo in the beginning. However it turns out Sasha is actually a Man. I had to watch the video twice to figure that out. Anyways in the beginning the audience felt that Sasha is a trustworthy man so is "by the book" but toward the ending with a little convincing from Sheikha Ali. Sasha turned around and disobeyed the procedure, which gave them the ability to save more than 112 refugees. I found that part to be the most shocking, just like Iyanna Brown.
The Tutsi people, an ethnic group, in the Democratic Republic of Congo suffered from persecution, they are killed or attack by the government and the other ethnic group. Sasha Chanoff and Sheikha Ali are two humanitarian workers who help refugees flee to other countries. I was surprised when the humanitarian workers decided to help the women and children not on the list because this was an important and risky decision. They are debating if the possibility of saving those people is worth the risk of endangering everyone else. The moment that stood out to me was when Ali state she mistaken a human baby for a doll because it really emphasize the terrible condition that these people are living in.
It was very sad to see a specific tribe targeted and killed for such foolish reasons. I also agree that the fact that the baby was as small as a baby doll was very saddening and it made me take much pity on the Tutsi people. I think that Sasha and Sheikha are good representations of what being a humanitarian is all about. Sasha and Sheikha took risks to save the life of numerous people of the Tutsi tribe. Although the moment is still bittersweet because they were taken away from their family and the life that they have always known. The video shows that it is only right that we assist and help out people who are less fortunate than us because it is the human and morally correct thing to do.
I agree with the bittersweet part because they are being torn apart from their family but it is the right thing to do in order for them to live a better life.
This is heartbreaking.
Judy Fedorchak i totally agree with your statement that this documentary was heartbreaking. I cannot fathom in a million years how any human being can go through was the great and resilient Tutsi people have gone through. This is because no one human being to be subject to persecution from their government which has a duty and obligation to protect and defend their people not to criminalize and kill them such as the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Even through all of this darkness there is light at the end of this dark tunnel and that light is Sasha and Sheikha. These two outstanding individuals who helped to mend the sorrow and heartbreak in the Tutsi people are due credit for their handling of this situation.