Weekend Long Read: A TikTok Unearths the Scars of Crimes Against Humanity

Editor’s note: This article contains graphic images, which may not be suitable for all readers.

In 2019, six months before the pandemic struck, I was in the midst of a midlife crisis. On the brink of turning 30, I finally realized that unattainable dreams had consumed my entire adult life in the entertainment industry. For a decade, I had poured all my energy into writing screenplays, books, music videos, and commercials even attempting to make feature films, and a decade of relentless effort had amounted to nothing more than a bonfire of time and money. Despite the stark realization that change was necessary, I refused to acknowledge the harsh truth. I kept telling myself that things would work out if I persisted a little longer. I took on service jobs to make ends meet, from driving for Uber to working in retail and restaurants.