En Route to Baghdad - The First Documentary About the Late UN Representative in Iraq Who Died in the Attack Againt the United Nations in Baghdad is Shown in New York and Selected for the Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival

One year after the UN bombing in Baghdad, En Route to Baghdad is the first documentary to show the life and legacy of Sergio Vieira de Mello. At the same time it discuss the challenges that the United Nations have to face after the first attack ever against their own mission.

New York, NY (PRWEB) September 15, 2004 -- In June 2003, Sergio Vieira de Mello, Kofi Annan's special envoy to Iraq, delivered a message of hope to a country shattered by war. End to occupation, humanitarian aid, reconstruction, refugee return, economic development and legal and judicial reform. His goals for Iraq were ambitious and Vieira de Mello was prepared for the struggle. It would be in Iraq though where Sergios work would be unfortunately left unfinished. On August 19th, 2003 a bomb exploded just outside the UN headquarters in Baghdad. In total 22 people were killed, among them, Sergio Vieira de Mello.

En Route to Baghdad, directed by Brazilian journalist Simone Duarte, is a one-hour current affair documentary about the humanitarian work of Sergio Vieira de Mello. Our journey starts in Mozambique where he arrived in the seventies and goes to Cambodia and Timor Leste (East Timor) - places Vieira de Mello helped to deliver to peace and security. People on the ground, tied to Sergio by circumstances, share their testimonies while discussing the role of the United Nations. While the film is as much a tribute to the life and work of Vieira de Mello, it also explores issues which impact the UNs humanitarian initiatives going forward.

The crew traveled to eight countries on four continents to solicit tributes and remembrances from former colleagues and acquaintances; including a brief stay in North Korea after invitation of King Sihanouk of Cambodia. Among those who have shared their remembrances of Vieira de Mello are the following:

-   Barbara Hendricks, Soprano, UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador
-   Bernard Kouchner, Nobel Prize winner and Founder, Organizer and President of the relief organization Doctors without Borders
-   Ghassan Salamé, Senior Political to Sergio Vieira de Mello in Iraq, former Minister of Culture of Lebanon
-   Graça Machel, former First Lady of Mozambique and Minister of Education now wife of South Africas Nelson Mandela
-   Kofi Annan, United Nations Secretary-General
-   Joaquim Chissano, President of Mozambique
-   José Ramos-Horta, Nobel Prize-winning human rights advocate and Foreign Minister of East Timor (Timor Leste)
-   King Norodom Sihanouk, King of Cambodia
-   Richard Holbrooke, former US Assistant Secretary of State and Ambassador to the United Nations
-   Xanana Gusmão, President of East Timor (Timor Leste)

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