On 7 February 2007 Peace Boat US hosted the screening of the film Little Birds at the UN’s Church Center in New York, New York. The documentary revolves around director and journalist Watai Takeharu’s footage following the U.S. invasion of Iraq. The film focuses on how individuals such as Ali Saqban, who have been affected and traumatized by the war. Saqban lost three of his children whom he and the remaining members of his family continue to grieve for. Another story line follows Hadeel, a 12 year old girl who was a victim of a cluster bomb which took one of her eyes. Throughout the film, U.S. policy and motivations are questioned as are other country’s military involvement in Iraq. There are also scenes in which U.S. soldiers are questioned, some of whom shy away from answering questions, and others who loudly voice their perceived purpose in Iraq. >>download a PDF

Watai, on a U.S. tour to promote the documentary, was at the screening and the film was followed by a Question and Answer session in which people asked about his experiences, and about the political climate and future of Iraq. Watai also showed some footage from a recent visit back to Iraq which included an update on Hadeel’s unimproved health situation. For many people at the screening, this was an opportunity to see how U.S. political and military decisions affect the daily lives of individual people in a way that the mainstream media often ignores.

For more on the film, visit: www.littlebirds.net/eng/index.htm