Tsunami: The Aftermath | |
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Tsunami: The Aftermath poster
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Written by | Abi Morgan |
Directed by | Bharat Nalluri |
Starring |
Tim Roth Toni Collette Hugh Bonneville Chiwetel Ejiofor Sophie Okonedo Samrit Machielsen Savannah Loney |
Theme music composer | Alex Heffes |
Country of origin | United States United Kingdom |
Original language(s) | English |
Production | |
Producer(s) | Finola Dwyer |
Cinematography | John de Borman |
Editor(s) | Barney Pilling |
Distributor | BBC-HBO |
Release | |
Original release | 28 November – December 5, 2006 |
Tsunami: The Aftermath is a television mini-series that was broadcast in two parts in 2006. It dramatizes the events following the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and the resulting tsunami in Indonesia and its neighbouring countries, including Thailand. Tsunami: The Aftermath is a joint production of HBO and the BBC and stars Tim Roth, Toni Collette, Sophie Okonedo, Samrit Machielsen, and Chiwetel Ejiofor. It was filmed in Phuket and Khao Lak, Thailand from April to June 2006. Phuket and Khao Lak were two of the worst hit areas in the country in the December 26, 2004 disaster.
Interweaving stories examine the personal tragedies of several characters. Ian and Susie Carter are a young English couple searching for their six-year-old daughter Martha who was swept away by the tsunami. At the same time, Englishwoman Kim Peabody and her son Adam are looking for James (Kim's husband and Adam's father) and John (Kim's son and Adam's older brother). Meanwhile Than, a Thai waiter has to cope with the loss of his family and village.
Apart from these survivors, there are several officials trying to cope with the situation. There is Tony Whittaker, an overwhelmed British consular official whose faith in the powers of bureaucracy is severely tested. Kathy Graham, an Australian aid worker for a Christian charity, tries to convince Whittaker to show a healthy contempt for the rules and try to help the people as best as he can. And, there is Nick Fraser, a journalist who is investigating the lack of prior warning and corruption following the disaster.
The Journalists
The Carters
The Diplomats
The Thai
The Peabodys
The filming used actual locations in Thailand that were devastated by the tsunami. Some victims and grief counselors protested the film, saying that it was too soon after the disaster and that the scenes depicting the tragedy could prove too traumatic. Others welcomed the production, saying it brought jobs and could actually help the healing process and raise awareness of the impact of the tsunami.