Perhaps most devastating of all was the knowledge that the destruction didnt need to be so extreme.
Poor construction caused many buildings to implode, collapsing into clouds of dust.
Inadequate rescue efforts left many who survived the initial quake and aftershocks to perish in the rubble.
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The film, fromMTV Documentary Films, just premiered at Sheffield DocFest.
In that time there was nothing we could do, but really venture to do something with documenting.
But on February 6 more tragedy awaited.
‘Death Without Mercy’MTV Documentary Films
Its awful wherever [an earthquake] happens and no one ever should go through this, Al-Kateab says.
It doesnt make sense in any way.
I called Fuad directly, I called Fadi directly.
I know their families in this area, Al-Kateab notes.
At that time, I was watching what Fuad was filming on his phone on Instagram…
I know Hassan [Kattan], who is my producer on this film as well.
He was there with him.
Every time I was calling them, I was like, just film, just document.
I know youre not in this mood now, but [it will be important].
Ive been through all this shelling and bombing, but the scene there was unbelievable, she notes.
It was just so shocking.
Rescuers tried as best they could to pull debris off survivors.
A few were plucked to safety.
The UN did not react well, the Turkish government did not react well, Al-Kateab says.
People with [missing] loved ones, they were not treated with dignity.
It was just awful.
One luxury high rise fell on its back, killing hundreds of people.
It did not take long to realize that many buildings that collapsed had been improperly constructed.
Its not like a mistake a full system of corruption and irresponsibility.
If they come and register, its okay.
Can there ever be full accountability for such a staggering loss of life?
What would accountability look like?
But will this bring the people back?
Will this make the pain that everyone went through disappear?
I dont think theres anything really that will equal justice.
That doesnt mean we should not keep fighting and trying to bring these people [to] accountability…
But even for Fuad and Fadi Fadi lost all his family, 13 members of his family.
What on earth could happen for him to feel okay?
Its the whole system, its the whole government.
So we dont want to move on.
A there is the strong possibility that another disaster could happen.
The conversation of the earthquake in Turkey, specifically, its not finished, Al-Kateab insists.
So, its not something that happened and we have to move on and find our new life.
This could happen again.
There could be another disaster around the world.
It is our responsibility whether we like it or not.
We all have to do something about this.
