The Challenge of Gaining Access

Filming in Libya was never going to be easy. Our goal was to document the resurgence of the Islamic State group and the escalating migrant crisis. The latter was particularly sensitive after CNN exposed shocking footage of African migrants being sold in slave auctions outside Tripoli. In response, Libya launched an investigation but simultaneously barred American TV networks from entering.

After months of persistent efforts, securing visas and permits, we finally arrived in Tripoli at the peak of migration season. With an estimated 700,000 people stranded along the coast—caught between brutal conditions in Libya and an increasingly unwelcoming Europe—the urgency of our reporting was clear. However, from the moment we landed, government minders shadowed our every move.

Government Obstruction and Tight Restrictions

Obstruction came quickly. Despite having permits, we were barred from conducting interviews in Sirte, the former ISIS stronghold. Our assigned minder, Anwar, made it clear that no official authorization would guarantee access. Detention centers shut their doors in our faces. Authorities at a deportation hangar threatened to seize our cameras.

Filming in Secret

To capture the real story, we had to film in secret. On Fridays, when our minders attended prayers, we ventured into the most dangerous neighborhoods of Tripoli. There, we met migrants who had survived the brutal journey across the Sahara, only to endure slavery, torture, and police brutality. One young man, who had lost his fingers and feet due to horrific abuse, told us how Libyan police had pistol-whipped him and stolen the little money his fellow migrants had pooled for him. "I’m a Black migrant. This is Libya," he said grimly.

The Breaking Point: Escaping Tripoli

As violence erupted across Tripoli, with dozens killed in just a week, our presence became even riskier. Our minders grew increasingly paranoid about our work, threatening to detain us and confiscate our footage. Realizing the danger, we planned a nighttime escape to Misrata, a city with an international airport outside the government’s stronghold. But our minder caught on and vowed to have us arrested at the first checkpoint.

Disguising ourselves as best we could, we managed to slip through the roadblocks, reaching Misrata safely. However, even there, government agents tracked us down. What started as polite conversations quickly turned into veiled threats. Intelligence officers made it clear they intended to detain us.

A Narrow Escape

We sought help from trusted contacts, including security specialists and international organizations. After intense negotiations behind the scenes, authorities finally relented, allowing us to board a flight out of Libya.

Looking back, this was one of the most challenging assignments of our careers. The security risks were extreme, government interference relentless, and locals wary of cameras. Despite everything, we captured crucial stories of survival and resilience—stories that needed to be told. If we were to return, one thing is certain: we would avoid Tripoli at all costs.

Contact Alessandro Pavone Today

Get in touch today for inquiries about documentary filmmaking services in Dubai and beyond. Let’s bring your story to life with compelling, high-quality cinematography.

Contact: +971 55 847 6982 | a.pavone@mac.com

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2018 - PBS News - We began to film secretly in Libya. Then we had to escape