That Wasn’t Me

The events unfold in a contemporary setting, reflecting ongoing conflicts in parts of Africa where aid workers operate amid instability. The backdrop emphasizes sudden violence and the fragility of safety in conflict zones.

Across the African countryside, aid workers traverse volatile regions. They are stopped at checkpoints by child soldiers, highlighting a brutal landscape of fear and danger. The story also takes us inside a fortified military compound where hostages are held and commands are carried out.

🪖 Authority

Power structures inside the camp hinge on fear and obedience. The General uses hierarchy and paternal rhetoric to command the child soldiers and captives alike, shaping loyalty through intimidation. Kaney's reluctant compliance exposes how authority erodes morality in war. The film questions who bears responsibility when people are forced to obey.

🩹 Trauma

The hostage crisis leaves deep scars on Paula, Kaney, and surviving hosts, both physically and mentally. The narrative follows the long shadow of violence, showing that trauma persists beyond the immediate danger. Death, assault, and coercion reveal the enduring harm inflicted by armed conflict. Recovery feels fragile and uncertain.

🎗️ Survival

Paula and Kaney are forced to improvise, negotiate, and endure extreme peril to stay alive. Their uneasy partnership is forged by necessity rather than trust, highlighting moral ambiguity. The escape sequence hinges on decisive acts under pressure, with the line between victim and aggressor blurred. The ending suggests that survival comes at a price, leaving humanity in doubt.