Beyond the Beach: The Hell and the Hope

Officially invited in Sconfini, at the 76th Mostra Internazionnale D'Arte Cinematografica (VENICE FILM FESTIVAL 2019) Beyond the Beach - The Hell and the Hope gives a glimpse into the lives of doctors, nurses and volunteers who have given up their everyday lives to work in war-torn parts of the world for the Italian NGO Emergency. Created in 1994 by war surgeon Gino Strada, Emergency staff have helped save over 9 million lives around the world. From treating front-line injuries caused by explosions in Kabul, to the monotony of Refugee Camps in Iraq as well as their deployment on the MOAS rescue boats off the coast of Libya, the staff explain how they could not simply stay at home and do nothing knowing they could 'do something'. We see their laughter, tears and, at times, frustration doing what very few people are brave enough to do and we learn the hardships and emotional stress that they must endure to carry out their missions while never losing hope.