The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s documentary, Aftermath: How Paris Changed the World, is a gripping and insightful look at the impact of the Paris terror attacks and the global response to terrorism. Through the lens of reporters Adrienne Arsenault, Gillian Findlay, and Mark Kelley, the film takes us on a journey through Belgium, Turkey, and France, uncovering the challenges facing law enforcement, refugees, and far-right movements in the wake of the attacks.
In Belgium, Arsenault reveals a country plagued by structural failures in law enforcement and a breeding ground for radicalization. She paints a picture of paranoia and fear as the country tries to come to terms with its role in the global fight against extremism.
In Turkey, millions of refugees struggle to find their place in a world that has turned its back on them. Findlay’s reporting on the plight of the family members left behind by Alan Kurdi, the young child whose lifeless body washed up on a beach, is both heart-wrenching and enlightening. It sheds light on the complex and often hostile world of immigration and the challenges facing refugees as they try to navigate it.
But it’s in France that the documentary really hits home. Kelley takes us on a journey through a country struggling to define itself in the face of a growing threat. The far-right preaches an increasingly alarming anti-Muslim sentiment, and the country is at a crossroads. The choices it makes in the coming years may well define its identity on the global stage.
Aftermath: How Paris Changed the World is a thought-provoking and urgent documentary that shines a light on the complex and often difficult issues surrounding terrorism and its impact on the world. It is a powerful reminder that we must continue to grapple with these challenges if we are to create a safer and more just world for all.