Raindance honours The Patrol

Afghanistan film takes top prize at London festival

by Amber Wilkinson

The Patrol has been named Film of the Festival at Raindance Film Festival.

The film - the first British feature about the Afghan conflict - explores questions not fully debated in the mainstream media about the war, which has so far claimed the lives of more than 400 British service personnel.

The film is also the debut of British filmmaker Tom Petch, who served in the Army for eight years including tours in Cambodia, Bosnia and with the Special Forces.

Petch said: "I was so angry with the way the war was being portrayed, with no commentary on how it was being fought or explanations for all the soldiers being killed. No one was asking the right questions.

"This is my view. I have been as honest as I can. I welcome the opportunity presented by Raindance Film Festival to generate discussion around this fiercely controversial and emotive topic."

Speaking about receiving the award, he added he was "really pleased to win".

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