Screening + Q&A: The Veto

For 80 years, the UN Security Council permanent member veto power has been the subject of constant debate, within the UN and without. The veto itself isn’t going away—it’s ‘veto-proof’. But when vetoes are cast in the face of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, obligations under international law and the UN Charter must be considered. Such veto uses have led to massive loss of life, displacement of millions, and the multilateral order pushed to a breaking point.

The film, featuring leading global experts, puts aside ‘the impossibility of change’ and explores real paths to breaking the Security Council deadlock, and avoiding a third global conflict.

Julian Borger is the Guardian's senior international correspondent based in London. He was previously a correspondent in the US, the Middle East, eastern Europe and the Balkans. He is the author of two books: I Seek A Kind Person and The Butcher's Trail.

Tim Slade's films have screened at over 80 international film festivals and have been broadcast in 50 countries. He has won best film and audience awards at film festivals for his documentary and narrative films. His 2023/2024 releases include the documentary short Singing up the Past and the political satire The Florida Claimant. The Destruction of Memory has been broadcast globally, and has officially screened for the United Nations, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and at the Getty Museum, LA. He has written narrative, documentary and documentary series scripts, including commissions from government agencies and international broadcasters. His writing has been performed by actors including Oscar®, BAFTA and Golden Globe nominated actress Sophie Okonedo, who narrated The Destruction of Memory.