The Terror In Terror At Westgate
The Westgate film is one that draws tears out. Not only because of the gory, uncut surveillance footage that makes the film but the stories of fear, resilience and courage from the survivors. The survivors recant their ordeal at the mall with statements like, “You could hear the sound of bullets getting into flesh” and , “We lay there watching them die.” It gets us thinking of their courage to share their story with the world and reliving the pain of losing their loved ones, friends and their own injuries that will stay with them for life.The documentary rekindles the vivid horrifying memories of the day. Whether or not you were directly affected by it, this documentary is bound to shake you.
Many on social media have criticized the raw nature of this film,most of them asking questions about the necessity of it while others complimented the angle of the film.
I know most of my media friends will disagree with me. But the Westgate documentary is not needed, and salt on a live cut.
Westgate was our tragedy. And this documentary, frankly, feels like gruesome voyeurism.
Most Kenyan TV Docus on Westgate were aimed at pointing fingers at whose fault it was.. This one is more of who did the rescuing.
… the new HBO documentary on Westgate released today. It’s heartbreaking and infuriating
Watching myself at #TerrorAtTheMall Documentary is traumatizing vivid memories of Westgate horror attack rekindle
Weird thing is that we’ve seen the footage before. But the way the story is told is so real. So chilling. No theatrics.
The film also raises questions about the effectiveness of our security forces. The film, made from security footage, lays bare the slow response from our defence forces. After arriving 45 minutes after the attack, the security forces made little effort to advance inside leaving the plain-clothes policemen and civilians inside the mall to save their comrades. Three and a half hours after they arrive, they make their way inside the mall but leave 90 minutes later after the army accidentally shoots three police officers.
A year after this great tragedy, we ask, are our disciplined forces more organised, disciplined and equipped to handle a similar situation in its event? Kenyans forget easy. This, we have learnt over the years. Is it for this reason that Dan Reed chose to angle it as a horrifying documentary?
As we remember Westgate, our hearts pour out to the lives affected by this great tragedy and for those who lost their lives, may their souls rest in eternal peace.
Image c/o HBO
