The world of documentary filmmaking has long been a space where reality meets artistry, with filmmakers seeking to capture untold stories and present them to the world. However, when it comes to documenting conflict zones, the consequences of such storytelling can be far-reaching.
The tragic death of an Afghan man, featured in a National Geographic documentary produced by Disney, has raised serious ethical questions about the responsibilities of filmmakers in protecting the individuals they film.
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His widow has now filed a lawsuit against Disney, alleging that the film’s portrayal of her husband led directly to his death at the hands of the Taliban.
The Documentary and One of the Men Behind the Story
Retrograde, a documentary released in 2022 by Disney and National Geographic, documented the final months of the U.S. military’s presence in Afghanistan. The film, which aims to portray the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. forces and the subsequent collapse of the Afghan government, included a powerful segment featuring Omar, a 21-year-old Afghan man who had worked alongside U.S. Special Forces.
Omar’s role as a minesweeper and his involvement with the Afghan national forces made him a target when the Taliban returned to power.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Omar’s inclusion in the documentary, especially with close-up shots of his face, is now being blamed for his tragic death. His family claims that after the documentary aired, the Taliban identified him and used the footage to track him down.
Taliban forces tracked down Omar from a scene in Retrograde, Matthew Heineman’s acclaimed 2022 documentary providing an on-the-ground look at the U.S.’ withdrawal from Afghanistan a year earlier. In a close-up, the camera pans to him as another member of the National Mine Reduction Group, or NMRG, voices concerns of being hunted when he returns to civilian life. A clip from that segment of the documentary later spread like wildfire on TikTok in Afghanistan.
They “showed me Retrograde movie and said you have worked with foreign forces and also worked in the movie,” Omar said, according to the transcript prepared by a former Special Forces Interpreter for the 1208 Foundation, an organization that evacuates Afghans who cleared mines for U.S. forces in the region. “They found me through Retrograde movie and are still asking of me from villagers and my family members.”
The Fatal Consequences of Exposure
Omar’s family claims that after being captured by the Taliban, he was tortured and held for weeks before his body was discovered. He had been severely beaten, almost drowned, and left unconscious. Despite undergoing four surgeries in Pakistan to try to save him, Omar’s injuries proved to be too severe, and he passed away in April 2023.
Omar’s tragic story is a painful reminder of the risks that individuals in conflict zones face when they become part of a documentary. The exposure of his identity in Retrograde allegedly put him in direct danger. His family believes that Disney and National Geographic, as the companies behind the film, failed to protect Omar and other Afghan nationals who were featured.
The family is now seeking justice through a lawsuit that accuses Disney and National Geographic of negligence.
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The Lawsuit: Seeking Justice for Omar
Omar’s widow, now living in another country, has filed a lawsuit against Disney and National Geographic, seeking damages for the wrongful death of her husband. The lawsuit claims that the companies’ failure to take proper precautions—specifically showing Omar’s face in the film—directly led to his death.
The family argues that Disney and National Geographic knew the risks that individuals like Omar faced but chose to proceed with their depiction of him in the documentary without properly protecting him.
The lawsuit also accuses the companies of unfair business practices, arguing that they violated ethical guidelines when it came to protecting the people featured in the film. Omar’s widow claims that Disney and National Geographic should have blurred his face or used other techniques to obscure his identity in order to protect his safety.
By failing to do so, the family asserts that the companies contributed to Omar’s exposure and, ultimately, his death.
This tragic case raises serious ethical questions about the responsibilities filmmakers have when documenting real-life events in conflict zones. Filmmakers have long had a duty to portray the truth while also ensuring the safety of the people they depict. In cases like this, where individuals are at risk, it becomes crucial to ask: what ethical safeguards should be in place to protect vulnerable people from exposure that could lead to harm?
Filmmakers and journalists working in war zones must weigh the potential consequences of revealing people’s identities. In the case of Retrograde, the decision to show Omar’s face in a public documentary, knowing the dangers he could face, has led to devastating consequences for his family. The lawsuit asks the question: should filmmakers be held accountable for the safety of the people they film?
The lawsuit against Disney and National Geographic raises important ethical questions about the role of filmmakers in conflict zones. Should Disney and National Geographic be held responsible for Omar’s death? How can filmmakers better protect the safety of individuals featured in documentaries? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
