U.N. Me

The United Nations was set up in 1945. Following the horrors of World War II, there was a strong desire for a better world in which peace would be maintained and human rights respected. The ideals, laid down in the United Nations Charter, were lofty, the ambitions likewise. Now, more than 60 years later, the image of the UN has become severely tarnished. Not only are international peace and security in a perilous state, but scores of stories are flying around demonstrating that the UN and its Security Council have done more harm than good. Documentary filmmaker Ami Horowitz takes us on a brutal tour of a number of places where the UN has intervened. Through interviews with those involved -- some of whom wish to remain anonymous -- and archive footage, he uncovers facts about manifest abuses and scandals surrounding UN missions and personnel. Such as a "forgotten" shooting in Côte d'Ivoire, during which UN soldiers opened fire on unarmed demonstrators. Or the "Oil for Food" program in Iraq, which resulted in the wrong people reaping the benefits. Horowitz also addresses the harrowing case of the UN soldiers who stood by, powerless, during the genocide in Rwanda.