LIBYA
I’ve made a lot of hours of television over the years, but I think I’m proudest of Sunday’s Libya episode. I believe it is the best piece of work I’ve ever been part of. Some of that pride comes from recalling how difficult it was. My crew and I are not exactly seasoned veterans when it comes to shooting in “conflict zones”. We had to adapt to a whole new style of shooting—where prior preparation, instead of being a religion—became a security risk. Destinations couldn’t/shouldn’t—to the greatest extent possible, know we were coming. We had to learn to keep moving, spending only a short period at each location before moving on. We changed hotels frequently, spent as little time as possible milling about between vehicle and destination, refrained from social media, rarely went out for dinner off-camera....
During the program it was evident Mr. Bourdain and his crew were at risk for at the very least jail, but, also the wild west that existed in Libya. At one point He and his crew visit with a man who has in his possession a chair of nails. It was stated it would be used on the next dictator or western styled leader that comes into Libya.The people of the USA do not understand the people and culture of the Middle East. They think of Egypt and pyramids. They think of Jordan and the former Queen Noor. Ask an American if they know anything about Mali or Algeria. They won't even know where those countries are on a map. So, when it comes to the Middle East and the coveting that takes place in the USA with it's military, it all because of 'the man cave' and not the actual ability of any of these countries to take on values Americans recognize.
