Airs 10/23 at 9:00 pm
In early 2007, George Packer published an article in The New Yorker about Iraqi interpreters who jeopardized their lives on behalf of the Americans in Iraq, with little or no U.S. protection or security. The article drew national attention to this issue as a crisis. This article served as the inspiration for ‘Betrayed’.
The play ‘Betrayed’ tells the story of three young Iraqis – two men and one woman – motivated to risk everything by America’s promise of freedom. The play explores the complex relationships among the Iraqis themselves and highlights their struggle to find purpose while their country is falling apart around them.
An American interviews Adnan (Waleed F. Zuaiter), a prospective interpreter:
A different American interrogates Laith (Sevan Greene), an Iraqi interpreter:
Thirteen/WNET will premiere a special presentation of the critically-acclaimed play BETRAYED, based on Packer’s interviews in Baghdad, on Thursday, October 23 at 9 p.m. The live-to-tape performance will feature an introduction by Packer.
Read interview with George Packer from Gothamist.
Read more about Betrayed from Playbill.
Read NY Times review.
I wish there were a lesson plan to go along with the play showing tonight. I work with adult students and wish I had a way of guiding them to watch this without stepping on political toes.
How wonderful! The producers and actors depicted the life and problems of FSNs so well in the play. I took me back in time and made me miss the wonderful people I knew in the Middle East. Pre Gulf War 1 and during Gulf War 2 until 2002 I lived in Bahrain. Ironically, I was also an FSN in the US Embassy so I related to the scenarios. Shukran!
After an internship at the International Institute
I was blown away by the insight this play gave me into the lives of so many od the cliets we were responsible for helping. I wish I could find some way to share it with others.