Film review-Mugabe and the White African

I was fortunate enough to have watched 'Mugabe and the White African' whilst it was in Oxford last night, and to have the directors there to answer questions after the film.

It was a sell out crowd and we just managed to get seats in time. The documentary was 100% real time, i.e. nothing had been reconstructed, and some of the filming was done in dangerous circumstances, such as when Campbell had an argument with Webster Shamu's son (which he must be kicking himself for now after noticing he was being filmed because of some of the ridiculous statements he made). Particularly alarming was when Ben Freeth's parents received the phone calls to say that Mike and Ben had been abducted and they didn't know the wherebouts of.

The film brought out the worst of the country-so much so that it made it seem like a completely failed state, which it is not-but perhaps, this was necessary to get the appeal. Similarly, as one of the people in the audience pointed out (whos father in fact received land under the reform process) that not all land went to the black middle class elite. Another comment was that the film could be perceived to be sticking up for a white racist? And perhaps, most importantly as the title of the film would suggest-is it possible for a white to be classed as an African? Ben would say yes, but Mugabe, no.

All in all, a brilliantly made, albeit emotional film, and nice to have a bit of the spotlight on Zimbabwe! I am doing my independent study on land reform on Zimbabwe, and so it was an apt excuse for some work and also a bit of entertainment at the same time!