MSF READS
The Photographer T he Photographer: Into War-Torn Afghanistan with Doctors Without Borders uses stunning photography and graphic art to tell a story about the work of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Afghanistan, through the eyes of Didier Lefèvre’s experiences as a photojournalist on an MSF mission in 1986. The book brings together Lefèvre’s words and evocative photos with the intensely moody and poignant art of graphic novelist Emmanuel Guibert.
The Photographer begins by laying the groundwork for understanding the complexity of the world Lefèvre was stepping into, explaining the recent history of Afghanistan and MSF missions there. The book goes on to follow Lefèvre and the MSF team as they endure the dangerous trek across the border from Pakistan to Afghanistan to set up health clinics for
the local people. The hardships the MSF teams endure in the field as well as the importance of their work to those they treat weigh heavily on each page, drawing the reader in over and over again through Guibert’s poignant illustrations. Especially compelling are the patients’ own stories, some of which are sad, others triumphant. The unique and seamless mix of photography, graphic art and dramatic narrative give The Photographer wide appeal. Anyone who reads the book may take something different away, whether from the storytelling, the art or the window into the plight of the Afghan people. The Photographer was first published in three volumes in France (Le Photographe) and was wildly successful, selling more than 260,000 copies. It has since been translated into 11 languages and won numerous awards.
The book was released in English in Canada on May 12. Jessica Jepp Communications intern
MSF ON FILM
Living in Emergency capturing the complexity of compassion n the documentary, Living in Emergency, director Mark Hopkins puts the probing camera’s eye on the personal dilemmas of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) humanitarian workers in the field. The film follows four doctors – both firsttimers and veterans – through their experiences in war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo and post-conflict Liberia as they examine their work, their role and their own crises.
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The illnesses and traumas the aid workers deal with in these environments are shown in a straightforward and frank manner; viewers see the urgent and diffi-
cult decisions they must make every day and the consequences of their actions. Pushed to their limits, stressed, and riding on waves of success and disappointment, each field worker finds his or her own ways to deal with these extremes. Unguarded and honest, the doctors speak to their motivations and why as individuals they are driven to help others in need far from their own homes, despite what they themselves endure. Yet, the situation is not helpless. What they do is life-changing to them and to their patients. For MSF, they demonstrate
the complexity of compassion and the need for all of us as individuals, in the face of this, to support MSF’s efforts to maintain access to people living in crises and in urgent need of medical care around the world. As a Liberian staff member puts it so plainly and convincingly, while MSF’s workers come and go, “The work must go on. It must go on.” The film had its world premier at the Venice Film Festival last year and at press time was in the process of seeking distribution. Visit www.livinginemergency.com to learn more.
Amy Coulterman Fundraising officer