The Tribeca Film Festival screened a wide variety of documentary subject matters this year, none more crucial to see than Invisibles. Produced by Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) and actor Javier Bardem (The Sea Inside, Before Night Falls) this documentary showcases the victims rather than their supporters. MSF is an independent international medical humanitarian organization. They work in over 70 countries to provide emergency aid and health care relief to those affected by war, epidemics, famine cause by natural or man-made disasters. However, instead of interviewing the MSF staff, the doctors or the relief workers, the producers wisely give the floor to their patients and allow them to tell their own stories, hoping to reach a broader audience.
Five directors give a voice and make seen these 'invisible' people to an audience which I hope grows bigger than the 34th Street AMC Theatre in New York City. The directors do not try to postulate as to how the 'invisibles' should or could improve their situation. They do not attempt to convey the pain that has endured in the lives of children and women, who are the lead characters in most of the vignettes; it's self-evident. They simply allow the invisibles the dignity and grace to tell their own stories: simply, eloquently, honestly. The 'invisibles' presented in the documentary are from Northern Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Columbia and in a fictional recreation, Central Africa.
The most notable of the five directors, Wim Wenders, (Wings of Desire, Buena Visa Social Club) films women of the Democratic Republic of Congo, who, in the midst of war, suffer from gang rape by the militia, the police and by the army of the ruling government party. There are no consequences for then men to sexually assaulting the mothers, daughters and sisters of their country. Artistically, Wenders films the women in a visually spectacular manner. The way in which he frames the women is so brilliant. He highlights a physical richness and beauty of their images with each choreographed frame even as their words speak of ugliness, shame and remorse. Strength is characterized in all the women. Their lives continue to have meaning and importance despite their desolate circumstances. They are creating organizations to aid the distressed women of their nation. Their self-respect and pride is a powerful example of the strength of the human will. This theme runs throughout each segment of the Invisibles.
The other directors include Mariano Barroso, Isabel Coixet, Fernando LĂ©on de Aranoa and Javier Corcuera. Corcuera and a MSF representative were present for the screening and stayed afterward to answer questions about the film. None of the directors were paid for their time and all the film's profits will benefit MSF and the 'invisibles.'
Those who have remained 'invisible' from many millions of people around the world may now be seen and hopefully helped. This documentary is a window into the lives of others, others who are part of our global community. Now that you know, what are you doing about it? To help, contact www.doctorswithoutborders.org.
For more HuffPost coverage of the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival, go here.