FIXER Screening - Asia Society + HBO + EchoChamber - 8/12/09

As we've all been reminded of this week, with the release of Laura Ling and Euna Lee from North Korea, journalists very often risk their lives to bring us stories from the world's most troubling places. They wouldn't be able to do so without the help of local "fixers," who usually are not as protected as their Western colleagues when things get dangerous. We saw an extremely powerful documentary that tells one such story at the Tribeca Film Festival this year (where it won the Best Documentary prize) , and we knew we had to bring it to you. It's a new perspective on Afghanistan, journalism, and the human cost associated with what you read in your newspaper every day.

EchoChamber in association with Asia Society and HBO cordially invite you to a premiere screening of the HBO Documentary Film

FIXER: The Taking of Ajmal Naqshbandi

"This work is dangerous, I bring one enemy to meet another."
-Ajmal Naqshbandi, six months before he is kidnapped by Taliban fighters.

At 24, Ajmal Naqshbandi was one of Afghanistan’s top “fixers” – aides who help the foreign media gain access to government officials, ordinary citizens, and armed rebels. Through vivid insider footage and exclusive interviews, this feature documentary focuses on the relationship between Naqshbandi, and one of his clients, American journalist Christian Parenti, as their paths converge and separate, with tragic results, over the course of six months. This is a story of a likable, highly intelligent young man who was forgotten in the crossfire, as well as an unflinching look at the ongoing problems facing his proud yet troubled nation.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009
6:00 – 6:30 pm Registration & Reception
6:30 – 8:30 pm Screening followed by Q&A with Ian Olds, Director/Producer and Christian Parenti, Producer, Journalist

Asia Society
725 Park Avenue at 70th Street
New York, NY 10021

Reservations are required and seating is limited.
For tickets, call the Asia Society box office at (212) 517-ASIA or visit https://tickets.asiasociety.org