Mugabe & the White African making waves

By Never Kadungure

A gripping documentary secretly filmed in Zimbabwe has made its way onto a short list of possible Oscar nominations for this year.

Mugabe and the White African follows the trials and tribulations of white commercial farmer Mike Campbell, his wife, daughter and son-in-law Ben Freeth who dared to take President Robert Mugabe and his government to a SADC regional court over their seized farm.

They won the legal challenge, lost the farm and nearly lost their lives enduring a nightmare of beatings and arson attacks. The most chilling encounter is that between Campbell and the relative of a government minister who turns up in one of his luxury cars to take over the farm.

Produced by Andrew Thompson and Lucy Bailey the documentary is 88 minutes long and its screenings have been mostly sold out especially in the London cinemas.

Mugabe and the White African was shortlisted as one of the 15 films from which the Academy Award (Oscar) nominations will be drawn.  The nominations will be announced on Tuesday 2nd February 2010, and the final winner revealed in March 2010.

Time Out magazine has described it as “superb… thought-provoking, distressing, shockingly tense.’ The Financial Times said its, ‘unsparing…as an example of courage beyond the call, Inspiring.”   The Daily Mail reviewer meanwhile said it is;

‘Excellent, moving anti-racist documentary. Stirring and never less than riveting. One of the most powerful documentaries I have ever seen.’ 

To go and watch Mugabe and the White African follow the link below; 

 
http://www.mugabeandthewhiteafrican.com/