War, Patriotism & Fear
35-minutes, 2001
Ref: 002tvc

The attacks by Islamic fundamentalists on the Twin Towers in New York and the Pentagon has united most of the country in an attitude of self-defense. American flags and patriotic slogans like “I’m Proud to be American”, “God Bless America” and “We Are United” line the streets of cities and towns all over the United States. 84% of the people support the war against the Taliban regime in Afghanistan even if American lives are at stake.

But fear is also rife. Gas masks have sold out in many cities and the terror of a chemical or biological attack has spread like the plague. The cases of anthrax have set off general alarm over health and security. Pharmacists have sold out their supplies of anti-anthrax antibiotics and panic threatens to overwhelm the country’s services.

We probe the reactions of New Yorkers during the first week of the attacks on Afghanistan. Among those interviewed are a married couple who, appalled by their vulnerability, desperately stashed away gas masks and anti-anthrax antibiotics; a soldier who enlisted right after the attacks to serve his country; the mother of a victim who still harbors hopes of finding her son and who finds no consolation in the attacks on Afghanistan.

The filming coincided with New York’s annual Columbus Day celebration, this year, a display of patriotism and wounded national pride. The event contrasted dramatically with a pacifist demonstration held on the same day, virtually silenced by the media. A minority of Americans is against the war, but their ideas are highly unpopular. In the United States today war drums are drowning out the few voices of dissent.