An Afghan woman has filed a lawsuit against Disney and other entities responsible for the National Geographic documentary "Retrograde," alleging their negligence contributed to her husband's death. The lawsuit claims the filmmakers failed to adequately protect her husband's identity by blurring his face, which ultimately led to his targeting and murder by the Taliban. The documentary, which focuses on the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, prominently featured her husband, a former Afghan soldier, without sufficient safeguards, the suit alleges.
The woman asserts that the exposure of her husband's image made him a target. The lawsuit details how the Taliban identified and assassinated him shortly after the documentary's release. She is seeking unspecified damages for negligence, wrongful death, and emotional distress.
Disney and National Geographic have yet to issue a formal statement regarding the lawsuit. The case raises important questions about the ethical responsibilities of documentary filmmakers in conflict zones and the potential risks to individuals who appear in such films. The legal proceedings will likely explore the extent to which filmmakers are obligated to protect the identities of their subjects and the measures they should take to mitigate potential harm, particularly in volatile and dangerous environments like Afghanistan.
Lawsuit Alleges Nat Geo Documentary Led to Afghan Man's Death
An Afghan widow is suing Disney and other companies involved in the National Geographic war documentary "Retrograde." The lawsuit claims the filmmakers' failure to obscure her husband's face in the film directly resulted in his targeted killing. The woman alleges that the documentary exposed her husband's identity to the Taliban, leading to his murder. She is seeking damages for negligence and wrongful death.
Source: Read the original article at NBC