SAS documentary pulled by venues in 'painful attack' on soldiers and families
Veterans say their stories are being silenced after several venues have refused to screen a documentary on Australia’s Special Forces and the human toll of the war crimes saga.
EXCLUSIVE: Several venues have refused to screen a documentary on Australia’s Special Forces, with some organisers citing staff were “personally affected by the war in Afghanistan” – a move veterans say is silencing their stories and hiding the human toll of the war crimes saga.
The film Bravery and Betrayal marks the first time families and SAS soldiers accused of war crimes have spoken publicly about the human cost of the decade-long saga shadowing Australia’s Special Forces.
Venues including Armidale Ex Services, Tamworth Services Club, and Star Cinema in Bendigo, Melbourne, pulled the film, citing various concerns.
At least one venue told organisers its decision was based on “duty of care” to staff who were “directly affected by these conflicts,” with some still missing family members to this day.
Several of the regions where screenings were planned have significant refugee populations, including people from Afghanistan.
The film’s director, Simon J. Heath, labelled the cancellations a “painful attack” on the parents, widows, and children of the fallen Diggers.
He said many Afghanis had also supported the project and attended screenings across the country.
“Certain venues didn’t want to screen the film as they said it was ‘triggering’, or ‘didn’t align’ with their venue,” Mr Heath said.
“Not one venue that refused or cancelled the film had actually seen the film.”
The war crime allegations stemmed from a four-year inquiry that identified 23 unlawful incidents involving Special Forces personnel and referred 19 individuals for further investigation.
Only one, former SAS trooper Oliver Schulz, has been criminally charged. Mr Schulz denies the charges and has pleaded not guilty.
The documentary, which has now been screened over 100 times across Australia, also includes insights from former prime ministers John Howard, Kevin Rudd and Tony Abbott, as well as US pilots who served alongside Australian troops and families of the fallen.
One of those featured in the film is former Special Forces soldier and officer, Brigadier Dan Fortune, who served more than 42 years in the Army.
“As a veteran it’s very hurtful to be rejected without the opportunity to be heard, with young privileged entitled perceptions informed by sensational cherry picking reporting from compromised traditional news sources such as the ABC,” he said.
“The themes of the film reflect the wider service and sacrifice endured by all ADF families and the injustice and resentment is widely felt and enduring.”
Brigadier Fortune said the cancellations reflected a lack of “fairness and critical thinking.”
“As public awareness grows and the injustices are recognised, the ADF’s senior leadership has highlighted the disgraceful conduct, marking a shift in the national conversation toward outrage and a demand for accountability to ensure this conduct is properly addressed,” he said.
Since its release, the doco has fuelled parliamentary debate over the ongoing war crimes investigation, with Shadow Defence Minister Angus Taylor warning the drawn-out process risks becoming a “denial of justice.”
“We cannot allow this process to continue indefinitely, hanging over the heads of our veterans and families,” he said in parliament last month.
“Justice delayed is justice denied.”
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Originally published as SAS documentary pulled by venues in 'painful attack' on soldiers and families
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