Bombhunters

Bombhunters is a 2006 documentary film produced and directed by Skye Fitzgerald, that documents the effects of unexploded ordnance on Cambodian people, both within their homeland and in the US.[1][2][3]

Bombhunters
Directed bySkye Fitzgerald
Produced bySkye Fitzgerald
CinematographySkye Fitzgerald
Edited byChris G. Parkhurst
Music byWilliam Campbell
Production
company
Spin Film
Distributed byIndigo Film & Television
Release date
  • August 21, 2006 (2006-08-21)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Production

Including a Fulbright Scholarship,[3][4] the project was funded by the Sundance Institute and the United States Institute of Peace,[5][6] including grants from The Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the U.S. Department of States Bureau of Political-Military Affairs.[7]

Based upon his 2001 trip to Cambodia,[1] Skye Fitzgerald, a graduate of Eastern Oregon University, spent 6 months in Cambodia and Vietnam creating the documentary Bombhunters.[8][9]

Music was used from the popular Canadian post-rock band Godspeed You! Black Emperor. The band allowed songs from Yanqui U.X.O. to be used, stating that while they didn't normally allow their music to be used in films, they could align with the social nature of the film.

Purpose

The film project documents the effects of UXO* on Cambodian people, both within their homeland and in the US. In particular, Bombhunters documents villagers efforts throughout rural Cambodia as they seek out UXO and attempt to render it safe for sale to the scrap metal industry in order to survive.[2]

Release

When the film had its premiere in November 2005 in Portland Oregon.[8] This film has been showcased in many film festivals across the globe including; Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival, Rhode Island International Film Festival, Palm Beach International Film Festival,[10] Planet in Focus Environmental Film Festival, Seattle Human Rights Film Festival, and Northwest Film & Video Festival.[11]

In addition to broadcast on US public television the film has aired on the History Channel Asia, Free Speech television in the US and on select national channels in Europe, including national broadcast on TV2 in Sweden.

Response

Since completion, the film has been credited by the US Department of State with influencing national legislation in Cambodia that has led to a 50% drop in UXO tampering casualties.[7]

References
  1. Woodd, Richard (January 14–17, 2005). "Deliberate handling of UXO leading cause of casualties" (PDF). Phnom Penh Post. Retrieved 2009-08-02.
  2. Cochrane, Liam (December 3, 2008). "Singapore shuns treaty banning cluster bombs". Radio Australia. Retrieved 2009-08-02.
  3. Han, Edward J. (August 3, 2004). "Local filmmaker receives Fulbright Scholarship for landmine documentary" (PDF). The Asian Reporter. Pacific Northwest Newsweekly. 14 (32). Retrieved August 2, 2009.
  4. Lynn, Capi (July 12, 2004). "Gervais teacher receives Fulbright scholarship" (PDF). Statesman Journal. Retrieved 2009-08-02.
  5. Verzemneiks, Inara. "Desperation intersects with residue of destruction in 'Bombhunters' documentary" (PDF). The Oregonian. Retrieved 2009-08-02.
  6. "Film Overview". Filmbaby. Retrieved 2009-08-02.
  7. "More Grants for Humanitarian Mine Action". accessmylibrary.com. U.S. Department of State. July 28, 2006. Retrieved 2009-08-02.
  8. "EOU graduate prepares to showcase documentary". newsbank.com. East Oregonian. January 16, 2006. Retrieved 2009-08-02.
  9. Hancock, Laura (2005). "On the trail of the Bomb Hunters" (PDF). eou.edu. Eastern Oregon University. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-05-28. Retrieved 2009-08-02.
  10. "2006 PALM BEACH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL". newsbank.com. Palm Beach Daily News. April 16, 2006. Retrieved 2009-08-02.
  11. Walling, James (November 8, 2006). "The 33rd NW Film & Video Festival tells a wide range of tales". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on December 8, 2008. Retrieved 2009-08-02.
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