Mugabe and the White African

FPI YOUNG PROFESSIONALS FILM SCREENING:

Mugabe and the White African

Special Guest Peter Godwin

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

The Foreign Policy Initiative welcomed over 200 young professionals to the Allison Auditorium to view a screening of the award-winning documentary, “Mugabe and the White African.” The film was introduced by special guest Mr. Peter Godwin, a native of Zimbabwe and an award winning foreign correspondent, author, documentary-maker and screenwriter. His most recent book, The Fear, documents his return visit to Zimbabwe under the Mugabe dictatorship. For more information on Peter’s story and to order his book, please visit his website.

Film Synopsis: 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. 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 on Mike’s case.  What will Mugabe's reaction be towards them for daring to bring the case?

To learn more about the film please visit the website.