Doc/Fest - Sheffield

Sergio Veira de Mello is described as a cross between James Bond and Bobby Kennedy. He went to the most dangerous places in the world and charmed war criminals, with the intention of giving the repressed back their dignity. Having worked for the U.N. all his working life, he began to crave a settled life. Then came another calling, to help rebuild Iraq. Sergio Veira de Mello is described as a cross between James Bond and Bobby Kennedy. He went to the most dangerous places in the world and charmed war criminals, with the intention of giving the repressed back their dignity. Having worked for the U.N. his entire career, he began to crave a settled life. Then came another calling: to help rebuild Iraq. Initially he wasn’t going to go, especially having opposed the war, but after a little gentle persuasion from Kofi Annan, Condoleezza Rice, and Tony Blair, Sergio was back, and this time as the U.N. ambassador in Iraq. On August 19, 2003, a bomb went off directly under the U.N. headquarters in Baghdad - the first time the U.N. had been directly targeted by terrorists. Greg Barker’s perfectly pitched film uses testimony and archive footage in its portrais of a graceful and noble risk-taker.

“Sergio is two movies, one that you expect and one that you don't, and that potent combination makes this a documentary of exceptional power.” - Los Angeles Times