Rwanda – Beneath the Surface - Tom's Story
Friday 27 November 2009, 06:18am
In 2002 Rwanda committed to clear their country of landmines by 2010. This film by Spike Productions digs beneath the surface to show how the Rwandan people have met this immense challenge. In 2009 Rwanda will join only a handful of countries declared landmine free – a year ahead of schedule. Spike’s Director/Cameraman Tom Killick shares his experience below.
Click the image to watch Rwanda: Beneath the Surface
Going to Rwanda was one of the standout experiences of my life but I remember feeling very nervous in the lead up to the trip. The Foreign Office advised against travel to Rwanda and I struggled to find a company who would insure me or the equipment. I had an image in my head of a lawless, third world country with raging gun battles in the street. The reality could not have been more different. It was peaceful and organised and I did not see a piece of rubbish the whole time we were there.
We stayed at the MAT house in Kigali and after a few days of getting used to the culture shock, I felt comfortable walking around the streets with my camera. The local kids swarmed around us and loved looking at the pictures of them-selves on the LCD display of my camera.
Time was short so we got straight into the filming and after a two hour, near vertical 4×4 drive arrived at the last remaining minefield in Rwanda. After being fitted with heavy Kevlar body armour and helmets it was time for action.
I remember feeling a real rush of adrenaline as I filmed the Rwandan soldiers clearing live landmines. It is hard to describe how alive all your senses become in an environment like that – it is literally life or death for those guys and they must be completely focused every second. I have total respect for all the RDF soldiers and officers we met – their courage and commitment was inspirational – they were all very friendly and courteous – but hard as nails. I was glad they were on my side!
I had two Rwandan Special Ops soldiers armed with AK47s as my escort as we headed northwest to the border region with DRC. This was a highlight as we went to places that are off-limits to travelers – like the town of Goma on the shores of Lake Kivu which is the border crossing into DRC and is a trouble hotspot. We travelled deep into Rwanda and were so far off the beaten track the local kids had never seen white people before.
We stopped to film in some very isolated areas and though the mood of the people was generally friendly curiosity, at times i am not sure I would have walked back out with a £20k camera if I did not have an armed escort. One time when I stopped the convoy to film a busy roadside market we caused absolute chaos as the people were so excited to see us!
Filming the victim interviews is never an easy task and even though you are separated through the viewfinder it is still harrowing to hear their stories. After their initial treatment all the landmine victims in Rwanda are left to fend for themselves and there is little or no assistance for them. It is hard not to feel guilt when you pull up in a fancy 4×4 with a big camera, shoot a few interviews, say thank-you and then drive away back to your own comfortable life. But I remind myself that we are giving their story a voice and the fact that the film will be shown around the world will help by raising awareness of their situation.