Sergio (2009)

A look at the life and work of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Sergio Vieira de Mello, and the rescue operation when he was trapped and injured by a bomb explosion at UN headquarters in Baghdad.

Director:

Greg Barker

Writer:

Samantha Power (based on the book by: 'Chasing the Flame: Sergio Vieira de Mello and the Fight to Save the World')

Stars:

Sergio Vieira de Mello, Tony Blair, Samantha Power

Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 2 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sergio Vieira de Mello	...	Self (archive footage)
Tony Blair	...	Self - British Prime Minister, 1997-2007
Samantha Power	...	Self - Author, Chasing the Flame
Condoleezza Rice	...	Self - National Security Advisor, 2001-2005
Carolina Larriera	...	Self - U.N. Economics Officer, Iraq, Sergio's fiancée
Dennis McNamara	...	Self - U.N. High Commission for Refugees, 1972-2004
Gaby Pichon	...	Self - Sergio's Bodyguard
Gil Loescher	...	Self - Intl. Institute for Strategic Studies
Ghassan Salamé	...	Self - U.N. Political Advisor, Iraq
Shawbo Taher	...	Self - U.N. Administrative Assistant, Iraq
Mona Rishmawi	...	Self - U.N. Human Rights Advisor, Iraq
William von Zehle	...	Self - Master Sergeant, Civil Affairs Battalion
Jeff Davie	...	Self - U.N. Military Advisor, Iraq
Gilda Vieira de Mello	...	Self - Sergio's Mother
Richard Holbrooke	...	Self - Former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N.

Storyline

Charismatic, charming and complex, Sergio Vieira de Mello was the world's go-to guy, a man who could descend into the most dangerous places, charm the worst war criminals, and somehow protect the lives of the ordinary people to whom he'd devoted his life. SERGIO tells the story of his most treacherous mission ever...a mission in which his own life hangs in the balance.

---

Plot Keywords:

character name as title | forename as title | sergio vieira de mello character | brazilian abroad | brazilian diplomat | 

---

Taglines:

He fought to save the world. They fought to save him.

---

Genres:

Documentary | Biography

---

Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

This is Greg Barker's first feature-length documentary film.

---

Connections

Featured in Sergio (2020)

User Reviews

Heart breaking and very well put together

I am not a big fan of documentaries, somehow I generally feel there is enough concreteness in the world and I prefer to be in fantasy for a while when I watch something. I made an exception watching this as I had first seen the feature film describing the life of Sergio, which was released in 2020 on Netflix, and was fascinated with the life and philosophy of this man. I knew I was in for a sad and beautiful ride going in. I found however that the principles, the camaraderie, the passion in Sergio's life exposed in this documentary did sweeten the blow of the end I knew was coming. Of course it is difficult to know a man...even when you actually know him, not to mention after his death and through a video, but that being said they certainly managed to catch the essence of what he was to the people around him. There is a sense of the values his life brought to the forefront and I guess one can only hope we all leave a bit of that behind when we go.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

Spanish Portuguese French English

Release Date:

17 January 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

Chasing the Flame

Company Credits

Production Co:

Chasing the Flame, Motto Pictures, Passion Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Color:

Color