Matthew VanDyke. Ein 33-jähriger Amerikaner, der sich für die Rebellen im arabischen Frühling einsetzt. Dafür reiste er schon im Jahr 2011 nach Lybien um Freunden im Krieg gegen Gaddafi zu helfen. Trotz seiner Erfahrungen als Journalist im Irak oder Afghanistan wurde er nach wenigen Wochen gefangen genommen und verbrachte 165 Tage in Einzelhaft im Hochsicherheitsgefängis Abu Salim. Er konnte fliehen, als die Wachen 24.8.2011 den Dienst niederlegten. Die Ereignisse und der persönliche Erfolg in Lybien brachten VanDyke dazu auch in Syrien mit Hilfe eines Films über die Rebellen helfen zu wollen.

Er hat durch diverse syrische und amerikanische Sponsoren genug Geld um den Film zu realisieren. Dennoch stellte er das Projekt auf Kickstarter ein um insgesamt 19.500€ zu bekommen, für amerikanische Crowdfunding Verhältnisse nicht viel. Allerdings wurde die Kampagne nach kurzer Zeit ohne Stellungnahme von Kickstarter beendet. Nach Syrien wird er trotzdem im September reisen, auch wenn er Zweifel an einem positiven Ausgang der Revolution hat, sollte der Westen nicht eingreifen.

Hier ist das auf Kickstarter eingestellte Video für seine Kampagne:

Für uns hat er einige Fragen beantwortet:

1. You want to travel to Syria for making a movie about the Rebels. What is your incentive?

I support the fight for freedom in Syria and want the rebels to defeat the Assad regime. Freedom in Syria is my incentive.

2. You fought in Libya and were arrested for 165 days. Could you describe the time?

I have described my prison experience here – Matthewvandyke.com

3. Are you afraid this will happen again?

Yes, I am concerned about being captured again.

4. Did the experience in Lybia motivate to start the movie about Syria?

Yes, my experience in Libya and seeing the effects of our victory have motivated me to film, and perhaps later fight, in Syria.

5. You have enough money for the film so please tell me why you started the crowdfunding campaign.

I do not have enough money for this film. I could raise enough money from private sources, but have chosen to use crowdfunding as a way to get the public involved in the cause. For months people have been contacting me asking how they can support Syria and the Arab Spring, so I decided to crowdfund this film so that anyone who believes in the cause of freedom in Syria can be part of making it happen and support what they believe in.

6. Gave kickstarter a reason to you why they stopped it and what do you think about it?

Kickstarter refuses to tell the press why the campaign was suspended and they have not issued any public statement about why it was suspended.

7. You will start in September. How long will you stay and what is the main object for you?

I will film in Syria for approximately 4 weeks. The objective is to make a film that improves the international image of the the Syrian rebels leading to more donations being sent to them for weapons and ammunition, help convince people that international intervention in Syria is required to help the rebels, encourage more Syrians to join the rebels, and inspire people in other countries to protest or revolt for their freedom also.

8. Would you show negative aspects from the rebels?

If there are any negative aspects of the rebels I will speak to them and try to encourage them to act differently. I am in these wars to affect outcomes, not observe.

9. Will you only make the movie or can you imagine to fight?

This project is just for filming, I have no intention of fighting during the month I am in Syria making this film.

10. What is your biggest fear?

Being captured.

11. Good luck and thank you for answering my questions.

Thank you.