Shoutbox » Mugabe and the White African

The feature-length documentary 'Mugabe and the White African' is currently being shown at the Empire Leicester Square cinema until Thursday, 11th February 2010. Apologies for the short notice!

The film follows the story of the white Zimbabwean farmer Mike Campbell who, along with his son-in-law Ben Freeth, were consistently intimidated over a long period of time by the Zimbabwean government to hand over their farm in accordance with the 'land reform' programme. This intimidation - including an abduction and subsequent violent attack that left both men in hospital; one fighting for his life, the other "turned into an old man in one night" - wasn't enough to make the tough farmers flee; instead they took their case to the SADC Tribual in Namibia to fight for their human rights.

The west London couple who shot the documentary - Lucy Bailey and Andrew Thompson - were working in the townships of Johannesburg, South Africa, when they saw the influx of battered, beaten and terrified Zimbabwean refugees over the border. They felt compelled to tell the story of the Zimbabweans and risked their lives and crippled themselves financially to shoot the film. Click here to read the full, extremely interesting article of their dramatic project in the London Evening Standard. Having read the article, it left me thinking that maybe they should make a film of their own experiences next!



'Mugabe and the White African' has been nominated for the BAFTA 'Outstanding Debut' film.

There are a number of further, ad hoc viewings all over the UK and Ireland in the coming months, see here for a viewing near you!

Posted By Chris Hylland on Tuesday 9th February 2010 a 10:21am

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