State of Affairs

Dugma: The Button

Paul S. Refsdal
Screening time  
27.02. / Monday, 22:00 - 00:00 Theatre 5  
04.03. / Saturday, 20:00 - 22:00 Theatre 5  
04.03. / Saturday, 22:00 - 00:00 Theatre 4  
Norwegian journalist and documentary filmmaker Paul Salahadin Refsdal’s latest film offers a rare and shocking insight into the day to-day-lives of men preparing to become Al Qaeda suicide bombers.

The film has raised ethical issues with broadcasters disturbed by its subjects and content. He spent six weeks embedded with members of Al nusra Front, the syrian branch of the extremist organisation in the war-ravaged Levantine nation. The result is the film Dugma: The Button, which chronicles the day-to-day lives of four would-be suicide bombers and unravels their motivations.

Paul-refsdal-2-550x309

Paul S. Refsdal

Paul S. Refsdal, 52, is a freelance journalist who has spent more than three decades covering conflict around the world; he has previously reported from a dozen rebel groups in countries like Sri Lanka, Kosovo, Peru, Chechnya, Afghanistan, etc. Dugma was filmed over the course of two trips to Syria.

General sponsor

Dugma - The Button

Norway
2016, 58'

Directed by:
Paul S. Refsdal

Screenplay by:
Paul S. Refsdal

Cinematography:
Paul S. Refsdal

Edited by:
Robert Stengård

Music:
Svenn Jakobsen

Producer:
Ingvil Giske

Produced by:
Medieoperatørene

Festivals & Awards:

Hot Docs 2016 – Best Mid-Length Documentary Award; Jihlava International Documentary Film Festival 2016; Vienna Independent Film Festival 2016; Nordisk Panorama Film Festival 2016; United Nations Association Film Festival 2016; Doc Lounge Stockholm 2016