A marriage of charity and politics
Sydney Morning Herald
Monday December 7, 2009
A couple's unlikely honeymoon makes for a challenging documentary, writes Paul Kalina. Afghanistan doesn't appear on many lists of favourite honeymoon destinations. But that didn't stop Jean-Paul Bell and Maggie Haertsch booking a trip to Kabul after they met in London and decided to tie the knot.Meanwhile on the other side of the globe, filmmaker Ian Hamilton, an old friend of Haertsch, sensed the newlyweds' apparent folly could be the hook for a meaty documentary about activism, commitment and the thorny politics of charity.Bell is a doctor and actor with a rubbery face and a repertoire of simple magic tricks. In 2002 he was invited by physician, activist and fellow clown Patch Adams (played by Robin Williams in the film of that name) on a humanitarian tour of Afghanistan. For his honeymoon, Bell returned with his new wife as well as medical equipment from Australian hospitals and clothes and toys.The quirky side of Bell's work was only part of what drew Hamilton to this story. "What I'm interested in is why are two people who want to improve people's lives put down in some people's eyes as do-gooders? ... I didn't make the film just to raise dollars to send to Afghanistan ... I wanted to tell a more complex film and have control over the message. In the end the film poses more questions than it answers. I'm happy with that."Hamilton produced Honeymoon in Kabul with his wife, Anna Kelly, who is a GP. The documentary shows that the ethics and politics of charity is more complex in today's post-colonial climate than it was when 19th-century missionaries arrived with the promise of prayers, education and clothes for those they deemed in need.When Bell and Haertsch are confronted by a school principal who wants them to make good, there and then, on their promise of computers, it is not the way one might expect Good Samaritans on the charity trail to be treated. In the end, they fulfilled the promise."We raised the money from showing excerpts of the film around the place," Hamilton says. "But it didn't stop the woman asking for more. It was awkward. It gave everyone in the room a mixed feeling. But as Jean-Paul says: 'If you think you can go to a place like that and it's all going to be rose-coloured that's not goingto happen'."Hamilton is happy audiences have been "engaged by the honesty of what's going on in front of them, the awkward moments ... The public support has been amazing because the film is not easy; there's an analysis going on that challenges you. I hope people understand that the majority of Afghans in the film are very supportive."Honeymoon in Kabul airs on ABC1 on Thursday at 10pm. See preview, p16.
© 2009 Sydney Morning Herald
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