Mugabe and the White African

Filmmaker: Andrew Thompson & Lucy Bailey

UK / 2010 / 90mins / English

Opening Weekend Date: 8 January 2010

Cinemas screening the film: ICA Cinema & selected Key Cities

Michael Campbell is one of the few hundred white farmers left in Zimbabwe since President Robert Mugabe began his violent 'Land Reform' program in 2000. Since then the country has descended into chaos... An intimate and often terrifying film, this is the only documentary feature to have come out of Zimbabwe in recent years. Our Exclusive interview with Lucy Bailey coming soon on the BEV blog!

"Superb... Thought-provoking, distressing, shockingly tense" Time Out

"Unsparing..as an example of courage beyond the call, Inspiring" FT
 

In 2008 Mike took the unprecedented step of challenging President Robert Mugabe in an International Court; accusing Robert Mugabe and his government of racial discrimination and violations of basic human rights. What follows is an intimate, moving and often terrifying account of one man and his family's extraordinary courage in the face of overwhelming injustice and brutality.

Set against the tumultuous 2008 Presidential elections Mugabe and the White African follows Mike and son-in-law Ben Freeth's harrowing attempt to save their farm and with it the homes and livelihoods of 500 black workers and their families. Filmed over 12 months, a gripping courtroom drama unfolds whilst all the time Mike, his family and the farm workers face the all too real threats of Mugabe's wrath on the farm. After months of frightening threats and a horrific attack the Court's judges finally rule unanimously in Mike's and Ben's favour. They return to the farm. But will Mugabe and his henchmen abide the Courts decision?

About the Director: Lucy Bailey 

Lucy has over ten years experience as a director in television, with the majority of shooting on the African continent, often covering sensitive subjects. Lucy has a background in anthropology and a huge passion for Africa. Lucy specializes in bringing emotion to the forefront in her films, including Lorenzo's Oil- Miracle or Myth, BBC (2004), and Saving Planet Earth- Saving Turtles, BBC (2007) Lucy has recently been working for Comic Relief to make their appeal films for Red Nose Day (2007) and Sport Relief campaigns (2006, 2008) and for this work was nominated for the One World Media - Popular Features Award 2008.