HBO's Powerful 'Tsunami'

Fri, 08 Dec 2006 00:36:17 GMT

Just finishing watching HBO's "Tsunami: The Aftermath" miniseries today, and, though it certainly doesn't make for light holiday time viewing, I highly recommend checking it out when it premieres on the cable network Sunday night (8 p.m. ET).

The true story of the 2004 disaster is retold via fictionalized accounts of the stories of real tsunami survivors, and thanks to some amazing performances (Chiwetel Ejiofor and Sophie Okonedo as a married couple who lose their daughter are Emmy-worthy, to say the least), it's a powerful flashback. There's been some criticism of the project--a joint production between HBO and the BBC--for coming too soon after the December 2004 tragedy, but, to be fair, as with Hurricane Katrina and the Sept. 11 attacks in the U.S., it'll probably always feel too soon.

The movie's screenwriter also does a great job of touching on the many political issues surrounding the movie, which, again, will also resonate with victims and survivors of Katrina and 9/11, including slow government response, the victims' frustrating experiences trying to work through bureaucratic red tape, and the greedy land developers who pounced on the opportunity to prosper while other people lost everything in their lives.

Told ya, not light viewing, but well worth your tube-watching time.

- posted by Kim

MSN TV Blog: Miniseries

HBO's Powerful 'Tsunami'