Beslan: Three Days in September

"Beslan: Three Days in September" (2006 release; 79 min.) is a documentary about the attack by Chechen terrorists on a school in Beslan, Russia, and the response to those attacks by the Russian authorities. As the movie opens, we are told that it is "September 1, 2004", as Beslan's School No. 1 celebrates the start of a new school year. Hundreds of kids grades 1 through 11, along with parents and friends, are gathering. In parallel, we see a group of Chechen terrorists, 30 men and 2 women, getting ready to drive in from the woods, and beforewe know it, they have taken over 1,200 hostages, packed like sardines in the school's gym... At this point we are 10 min. into the documentary.

Couple of comments: this documentary is directed by Joe Halderman, best known for his TV work on shows like "48 Hrs.". As it is explained to us, the film makers struck gold when archive footage is unearthed that the terrorists themselves filmed on video during those three days and the video camera was found after the conclusion of those 3 days by kids. Sometimes if is difficult to distinguish the intrinsic merit and value of a film or documentary as opposed to the subject matter of the film or documentary. In this case, though, I can state unequivocally that the documentary is well done, while at the same time it is just appalling to see the ruthlessness of the terrorists AND the parallel incompetence of the Russian authorities to respond to the hostage crisis. It absolutely blows the mind. When the situation comes to its devastating conclusion on Day 3 (by which time there is ample press coverage and hence ample archive video footage), you can't but shake your head in contempt and disgust. Julia Roberts narrates, and along the way the film makers interview a slew of people involved, in particular family members that were directly affected in one way or another.

"Beslan: Three Days in September" is not a new release obviously. I happen to stumble upon it on Showtime On Demand the other night. Glad I did. Ideally this documentary would receive an updated release with a "Where are they now" segment added at the end. In any event, I encourage you to check this out if you get a chance, and draw your own conclusion.

This is a very compelling documentary of an overlooked tragedy/story. Given the time frame the filmmakers had to deal with (80 minutes) I feel the movie gives the clearest picture of this terrorist act to date. This doc does not throw old pictures and facts at you, but actually advances the story. If you pay attention you'll see unique video that would never make the nightly news. Actually this story got lost in U.S. domestic news because of a rash of hurricanes and the presidential election. Kudos must be given to the filmmakers for their resourcefulness in obtaining new material, utilizing it, and exposing this story to a wider audience. Dealing with the complicated story of Beslan, and the larger story of Russia and Chechnya... and the politics of the surrounding areas is daunting. To add more about the politics of the Chechans, and their nationalist push that pre-dates world war II, would be overwhelming. To start adding context dealing with the nitty gritty of Chechnya and Stalin did would only complicate the story to the point that viewers would likely turn it off. It would also take the emphasis off the actual story... the siege at Beslan. I can't deny that what is going on in Chechnya is horrible, Russia should be held accountable. But given the amount of screen time I think the film strikes a balance. The attentive viewer will get just enough background information for perspective, and will also see in detail the events surrounding the hostage siege and botched rescue.

My thoughts for Three Days in September are endless. I am very emotional about it. I feel so much sorrow and pain for those who lived in the town of some 34,000 people. Such terror should not happen to anyone. Julia did a wonderful job speaking. I know in her heart she had to be emotional about reading for this. Those others that were included in the speaking should be commended for their bravery for they all went through a hell of a battle that not one person in the entire world should have to go through. God Bless them and their families and all of the others. I am wondering if the school has been redone? Are there children attending there now?

It is hard to take a moment and stop to realize that many people in the World are not celebrating this time of year. This brilliant documentary narrated by Julia Roberts, and told by the survivors of the September 2002 tragedy in Beslan is well worth the time for those who believe we are all in this world together.

Just as we lost people on 9/11, the Russians also lost almost 200 children, with a couple of dozen more made orphans, in this terrible terrorist massacre by Chechen rebels.

Whether it be Darfur or Russia or New York, there are people who are taking from us every day. Until we are all safe, then none of us are safe.

Many are celebrating the birth of the Prince of Peace this month. This film is a stark reminder that there is no peace.

334 civilians killed. 186 of them children....over 400 wounded in all and taken to the hospital, children forced to do things that I'm not typing here...A well made, but dark documentary showing the brutality of the Chechen warlord Shamil Basayev and his terrorist group with great footage captured including even the "Black Widows" or female Chechen terrorists who strap the explosives to themselves and detonate it to kill those around them. - (think back to the 2002 Moscow theatre crisis)

The film also shows the how poorly the Russians reacted to the situation with disinformation and being completely unprepared. For example, the school gym was wired with explosives and mines hung from the basketball goals. There was not one sapper (mine engineer) in the entire Russian reaction force.

A copy of the letter they sent to Putin at the time:

"From Allah's slave Shamil Basayev to President Putin.

Vladimir Putin, it wasn't you who started this war. But you can finish it if you have enough courage and determination of de Gaulle. We offer you a sensible peace based on mutual benefit by the principle—independence in exchange for security. In case of troops withdrawal and acknowledgement of independence of Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, we are obliged not to make any political, military, or economic treaties with anyone against Russia, not to accommodate foreign military bases on our territory even temporarily, not to support and not to finance groups or organizations carrying out a military struggle against RF, to be present in the united ruble zone, to enter CIS. Besides, we can sign a treaty even though a neutral state status is more acceptable to us. We can also guarantee a renunciation of armed struggle against RF by all Muslims of Russia for at least 10 to 15 years under condition of freedom of faith. We are not related to the apartment bombings in Moscow and Volgodonsk, but we can take responsibility for this in an acceptable way.

The Chechen people is leading a nation-liberating struggle for its freedom and independence, for its self-protection rather than for destruction or humiliation of Russia. We offer you peace, but the choice is yours.

Allahu Akbar

Signature

30 August"

Julia Roberts does the VO. It is an eye-opening story and makes one wonder "could it happen again and where?"