SYNOPSICS
Mugabe and the White African (2009) is a English,Shona movie. Lucy Bailey,Andrew Thompson has directed this movie. are the starring of this movie. It was released in 2009. Mugabe and the White African (2009) is considered one of the best Documentary movie in India and around the world.
In 2008 Mike Campbell - one of the few remaining white farmers in Zimbabwe to have held fast in the face of the violent 'Land Reform' programme - took the unprecedented step of challenging President Robert Mugabe before the SADC International Court (SADC - South African Development Community) to defend his farm, which is also home to 500 black workers and their families, and to charge Mugabe and his government with racial discrimination and with violations of Human Rights.
Mugabe and the White African (2009) Reviews
A brilliant expose of Mugabe's brutality
The film follows 75-year old grandfather Mike Campbell, his son-in-law Ben Freeth and their family over a period of approximately 18 months. White Zimbabwean farmers, they courageously refuse to hand over their Mount Carmel farm to Zanu PF thugs, despite frequent and intensifying violence, both threatened and actual. One thing that particularly struck me from the footage covertly smuggled out of Zimbabwe was the extent to which the illegal farm seizures were endorsed and even orchestrated by high-ranking Zanu PF ministers. In the case of the Campbells / Freeths, their particular nemesis is the strangely amusing and articulate, yet menacing Peter Chamada (son of Nathan Shamuyarira, Zimbabwe's former secretary of information). As they persevere with their legal test case at the SADC court in Namibia, to seek an official ruling that farm seizures are both illegal and racist, the bravery of the family consistently shines through. In fact, the film is inspirational and harrowing in equal measure, particularly when the family's unwavering courage is sorely tested by the growing intimidation. Throughout, there is a sense of the enemy circling the farm like wolves, waiting to pounce. As the test case in Namibia progresses, albeit haltingly while Mugabe's legal team endlessly obfuscate, we see Ben's British parents, living in Kent, receive a panicked phone call from his wife, Laura. Mike, Mike's wife Angela and Ben, have been abducted and each beaten severely. The next ten minutes of the film are acutely upsetting, as we see the extent of the injuries that have been inflicted upon them. The sobbing was audible throughout the small cinema in which I saw the film: caused by recent, all too real torture, rather than a Hollywood dramatisation. The outcome of the tribunal, and an SADC ruling that effectively denounces Mugabe's "land redistribution programme" is briefly uplifting. That is, until a post-script reveals what happened to the farm just six months after filming finished, and exposes the extent of Zanu-PF's nihilistic brutality. I hope the family receives some kind of justice after all the persecution they endured in standing up to the corrupt regime, and refusing to just give up their family home and walk way. If nothing else, this brilliant film has once again reminded us of the horrors still being perpetrated within Zimbabwe, at a time when the superficial legitimacy created by the power-sharing government seems to have encouraged most of the world's press to move on to another story. A must see. "We can run away of course. Most people have. If self-preservation is the goal then there is no sense in staying. For us, though, there is a greater good. It is a matter of principle. If individual men and women allow evil to advance unchecked, it will prevail and more people will suffer and starve. It is hard to live and try to make a difference in a time of terror — especially with a family." – Ben Freeth
Excellent - but not for Mugabe
Excellent Documentary - Pity that some of the previous reviewers could not see through their collective PC, liberal and socialist blinkers. What has Mugabe done for his people? ZIP. Apart from the so called "War Veterans" and other family, Generals,and political cronies, all of Zimbabwe is in desolation, fear, hunger and despair, while his majesty mister Bob Mugabe lives in a palace. With servants and bodyguards. All you out there - take note - see and realize. That's it. The whites made a difference, a small minority, overstepped the line, we all know that, but is that a reason for millions of honest black folk to starve while his majesty zests in luxury? Good show, glad to have seen it and most recommendable,
A Review for the Reviewers
The ignorance in these reviews is astonishing. This movie was meant to be an exposition of the vicious injustice of Mugabe and his regime, and it succeeded in its intention. No matter how you slice it, the violence, injustice, and lawlessness shown in this documentary is very real. Some of the reviewers attempt to discredit the racism and violence shown in this film by commenting on the oppressive history of Rhodesia. For those people, I only recommend you consult the following link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tu_quoque Pointing out the reprehensible actions of others, does not validate your own or anyone else's. It's a fallacy. This film showed what it is like for a white farm owner living in modern Zimbabwe. It showed what it is like right here, right now. It was not inaccurate or with bias. It was not scripted. It was not dramatized (in fact quite the opposite, it's amazing the subjects were not more dramatic). This film delved into a little known subject and captured a moving story. I highly recommend this film to any documentary lover.
A feeling of great sadness.
I always hold dear the memories of visiting my grandparents as a child and taking early morning walks through the Great Zimbabwe Ruins, it was majestic to say the least. To see the state Zimbabwe is in today is so sad considering it used to be such a great country. This documentary did a fantastic job of creating awareness, the real truths behind the (m)ugabe regime. You cannot help feel a deep sadness for the individuals' involved, especially noting that children are the also the victims of this outrageous regime. A realisation that a brain washed/racist state is the order of the day, every day in Zimbabwe. The White Farmers are providing for 100's of workers livelihoods and they're the bad guys. The whole concept on which Mugabe bases his Dictatorship is one big Contradiction. As they say, every dog has its day.
A daring, and inevitably eye-opening documentary that shines a lot of light on a terse situation
STAR RATING: ***** Saturday Night **** Friday Night *** Friday Morning ** Sunday Night * Monday Morning Tyrant Robert Mugabe's reign of terror in Zimbabwe has seen this troubled part of Africa descend into chaos, with it's expulsion from the British Commonwealth (presumably due to it's human rights violations?!?) and roughly 4000 acres of land brutally seized from white land owners in Mugabe's racist Land Reform programme, as his Zanu PF party strives to continue it's reign of terror in an area of the world where democracy is of no true force whatsoever. In the middle of this, elderly Mike Campbell and his son are setting plans in motion for an historic court battle where their future on the land they have legally owned for years is in jeopardy, whilst ducking the legal obstacles of constant postponements and a ruling force that considers itself above the legal rulings of the court, as well as just trying to achieve fairness and justice in a lawless area of the world. From the off set, we're informed the makers of this film risk imprisonment just for filming it, so naturally a lot of the filming takes place in strategically placed locations in secluded areas, which cuts out a lot of the background and thus a lot of the atmosphere of the film. But the chaotic and deadly world it is sucking you in to is so intriguing and eye opening that this is a minor hindrance, especially if you think they're doing as good a job as they possibly can. The only times when I really lost my temper with it, due to my motion sickness, was the shaky camera moments, but what can you do? Despite his predicament, Mike and his son are calm, mild mannered and rational, even as we see their constant court date postponements, intimidation from Zanu PF supporters, the horrific experiences of other land owners and supporters and even their own savage beating at the hands of Mugabe's thugs. Thoroughly decent people trying to stake their place in the world with dignity and humanity, while their enemies do the exact opposite. Despite being an eye opener to the situation in Zimbabwe, it ultimately emerges as a simple tale of the little man taking on the big bully boys, going through hell to get there and being able to enjoy victory at the end, only for that to be cruelly and outrageously taken away from them. Yet you get the feeling they will stick to their guns and plod on in spite of this, never lowering themselves to Mugabe's level. Sadly, this is the real world and a lot of the time good doesn't triumpth over evil, but at least our hope and spirit can be kept alive if we keep believing? That's the underlining message of this daring and eye opening insight into the heart of Africa. ****