"A Short Film About Guns" examines the illegal arms trade and how it functions across the globe.
The short film, directed by Minos Papas, features four experts on arms trafficking who recount their varying first hand experiences with the black market trade in areas of conflict and how the illegal flow of weapons facilitates loss of life and devastation.
As the first Arms Trade Treaty is currently being negotiated at the United Nations, the four experts call on all governments to get a deal made and agree on a legally-binding arms treaty.
Greek-Cypriot director Minos Papas recently partnered with the Control Arms coalition, including Oxfam International, to produce the short film. The online release is aligned with the UN Diplomatic Conference on the Arms Trade Treaty, currently held in New York through July 27th.
The film features four experts on arms trafficking, each testifying on their individual experiences with illegal gun trade.
These experts include:
· Kathi Lynn Austin, arms trafficking investigator, director of Conflict Awareness Project. · Ishmael Beah, former Sierra Leonean child soldier, author of "A Long Way Gone: memoirs of a Boy Soldier". · Paul Conroy, Sunday Times war photographer, recently injured while working in Syria. · Stuart Franklin Platt, Rear Admiral US Navy (ret.), author of "Letters From the Front Line"
The film was shot in London, New York City and Seattle.
As his short film was being released, Minos Papas said:
I produced this video to partake in the momentous campaign to create a legally binding Arms Trade Treaty that will regulate the sale of weapons and ammunition. The Control Arms coalition, which includes Oxfam, is calling for a strong treaty that will really save lives.
At the moment, the Arms Trade Treaty conference is getting good coverage in the international media, but I strongly believe this video could give the necessary push to put this issue on everyone's minds. Diplomats have ten days to go and truly change the world. Let them know we are watching them.
For more information on the Arms Trade Treaty talks: CLICK HERE