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Behind closed doors, the world's leading diplomats and military experts are ineffective, and reluctant about the fate of an entire people, despite all reports from the field and corresponding evidence. The men deliberate, sending messages and directions to other officials, but no decisions are ever made. The tragedy unfolds elsewhere.

The reasons are manifold - some personal ambitions, some bigoted prejudices, some fanatic obsessions - all flavored with the procedural lockstep of bureaucracy, which adds up to a disaster that has been steadily approaching. The final genocide of the twentieth century transpires under the guardianship of the United Nations in 1995 in Srebrenica.

Disturbed Earth is a theatrical performance rehearsal shot in one day - the bureaucratic incompetence takes inspiration from a historical specificity, but it also occurs right now; bureaucrats are incapable of acting on time in the midst of climate catastrophe.

Film stills and exhibition stills from “Rewinding Internationalism” curated by Nick Aikens at Van Abbemuseum.

Director Didem Pekün

Co-Producers Çiğdem Mater & Maria Thalia Carras

Associate Producers Dilara Çatak & Paris Helene Furst

Cast
Arndt Schwering-Sohnrey UN Chief Commandant
Herold Vomeer Advisor
Jörg Witte General
Mike Davies Colonel / President
Mehmet Yılmaz Mr Special Representative
Philipp Leinenbach Expert / Officier

Scriptwriters Barış Uygur & Deniz Arslan with Paris
Helene Furst

Cinematographer Petros Nousias

Editor Eytan İpeker

With the kind support of SAHA, Lulea Biennale, Van Abbemuseum

Disturbed Earth

2021    29 Minutes    Surround Sound

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