THE RORY PECK AWARDS 2004
Sponsored by Sony

Sara Nason

The 'Hidden' Wounded American Soldiers

Finalist: The Sony International Impact Award

The true casualty count of the war in Iraq may be higher than official figures suggest. Most of those wounded in action come through the Walter reed Military Hospital in Washington. The crew filmed soldiers coming off the plabe at Andrews airbase, and were the first foreign crew allowed to go inside the military hospital and interview the wounded soldiers. they also talked candidly with a soldiers' therapy group.

Camerawoman's Comments

"We met many formerly healthy young men, now either severly shell shocked or with limbs blown off. Every step we took was carefully monitored by miliotary officials and PR spokespeople managing and controlling access. Yet we wanted to get an accurate statistical cost of the war, and a truthful personal experience.

There was also the personal issue of what and how you interview a soldier, still bewildered and in pain, who has just come off a night plane from germany with his legs blown off, guarded by a military PR spokesperson? It was a delicate problem - hot to film with sensitivity and respoect for their circumstances and yet reflect the true cost of war both emotional and physical."

Biography

Over the last three years Sara Nason has worked alone as a director/producer/DV camera operator making news films often with a large observational component. A former stills photographer she usually works over many weeks or months - somethimes in difficult and hostile circumstances. This is combined with working as a producer on longer format documentaries with award winning directors such as Mike Grigsby and Bill Cran, and formerly working as a journalist at Channel 4 News.

Awards 2004 pictures

The Trust and Sony

Winners

Finalists

The Freelancers' Choice 2004

Judging Panels

Farewell from Miles Flint

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