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Louis Theroux -Dark States

(5 Posts)
suzied Mon 09-Oct-17 18:06:51

Anyone see the first of this series? It was called Heroin Town about a community in Virginia devastated by heroin use. I felt so sorry for the lovely Katillia who was obviously being controlled and abused by her dealer boyfriend. Should the documentary makers have intervened and found her a safe house? I do like Theroux' laid back style but worry a bit about the ethics of leaving some of these people in such a dire situation.

Grannyknot Mon 09-Oct-17 18:16:07

Suzie it's an interesting dilemma - "reporting" or intervening.

I will never forget years ago a young war reporter/photographer took an "award winning" photo in the Sudan of a starving child on her knees, surrounded by vultures sitting patiently waiting. That photographer later committed suicide, having been heavily criticised for recording the scene and not intervening (and probably because of having seen one horror too many).

I shan't be watching the programme, too depressing. It is extremely common for women addicts (especially injecting drug users) to be under the control of their partner.

Grannyknot Mon 09-Oct-17 18:22:23

I just read up a bit about it to remind myself - the photographer was Kevin Carter (he committed suicide at age 33) and the photograph won the Pullitzer Prize.

In response to criticism, he said that he had subsequently chased the vulture away and the NY Times (that published the photo) said that the child was in ongoing the care of an aid organisation.

What a sad way to make a living (in the proper sense of the word "sad").

Morgana Mon 09-Oct-17 18:26:04

Was it on last night? Those poor journalists must have to grow very thick skins. I couldn't do it.

suzied Mon 09-Oct-17 19:03:37

Yes you can watch it on iPlayer.