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Bronx Princess POV Community Engagement & Education Discussion GuiDe Mugabe and the White African A Film by Directors Lucy Bailey and Andrew Thompson and Producers Elizabeth Morgan Hemlock and David Pearson www.pbs.org/pov PoV Letter froM the fiLMMAkers We have worked together for 10 years — and much of that time has been spent filming in Africa, for which we have a huge passion. We’ve recently been working on short films in Africa; we have been privileged to tell the stories of people who are so poor that they would never have “mattered” otherwise. We have been in many life-or-death situations with the people we’ve filmed and have cried and laughed with them as we shared some of the most intimate moments of their lives. Because of that, for some time we have been developing and work - ing on ideas for longer-format documentaries set in Africa. The story of Mugabe and the White African is a story that we feel the world should hear. Much has been reported about the eradication of white-owned farms in Zimbabwe and the deterioration and subsequent col - lapse of the country. We have all seen news images of beaten farmers and seen the desperation in people’s eyes as they live in hunger, hopelessness and fear. We wanted to make a film about a big issue like the land reform program policy in Zim - babwe, but in a very intimate and personal way. our subject was Mike campbell, the Zimbabwean commercial farmer who made legal history when he took President Robert Mugabe to the international court of the southern African Development community (sADc) in 2007 and won his case a year later. We believe the audience for our film is sophisticated and can read images and characters. Therefore, there is no commen - tary, and we allow our “characters” to speak for themselves so as to build up a compelling narrative. The film hinges on emo - tional moments in image and sound, so its impact on the memory will last long after the facts have been forgotten. This has been our trademark, particularly in our work for comic Relief. The camera dwells on details — we like shots that are lavish and lingering and show a trust in the relationship with our subjects. This story is epic and at the same time intimate, and the shooting style reflects this. We let the unfolding action dictate the pace, but the feel is cinematic and in the moment. We have done everything we can to tell this extraordinary story, one that would no doubt otherwise forever have remained a “newspaper snippet.” We want this film to take the viewer to the heart of a historical moment, one that could be pivotal to Africa’s future. The film responds to what unfolds, but at the end of the day we want viewers to be able to make up their own minds. We completed our film in the spring of 2009. Mike campbell passed away at his temporary home in Harare on April 6, 2011. He never recovered from the injuries he suffered while being kidnapped and tortured by a gang trying to throw him off his farm on June 29, 2008, just two days after the presidential run-off election. Mike was an amazing and brave man. We will miss him. Lucy Bailey and Andrew Thompson , Directors DISCUSSION GUIDE Mugabe and the White African |2 PoV Letter froM the fiLMMAkers Producers’ stAteMent our company, Arturi Films, has a slate of feature films in development. The films’ common strengths are that that they en - able the audience to go on an emotional journey with the characters in the story. The story of Mike campbell and this fight for justice and the return of law in Zimbabwe immediately struck a chord with us; immediately we felt that it would resonate with a wider audience, especially because Mike was fighting for human rights and against racism. The fact that he was tak - ing this action because his own president was the perpetrator of human rights abuses and the story was based in Africa, gave it a relevance and urgency that we don’t come across very often. We thought that we could bring something unique to Andy and Lucy’s vision for the film. Financially and creatively, we were willing to take the risk alongside our directors. Mike campbell was an exceptionally courageous man with great dignity and humor. His willingness to allow us to tell his story was important as it gave the world a clear sense of what was really happening in Zimbabwe. it was a great honor for us to work with him, his son-in-law Ben Freeth and the family, and the film is a testimony to Mike’s sense of fairness and de - sire for justice and the rule of law. Audiences the world over have been touched by the strength of his character and his de - cency, reflected so beautifully in the Zimbabwe national Anthem: Oh lift high the banner, the flag of Zimbabwe The symbol of freedom proclaiming victory; We praise our heroes' sacrifice, And vow to keep our land from foes; And may the Almighty protect and bless our land. Oh God, we beseech Thee to bless our native land; The land of our fathers bestowed upon us all; From Zambezi to Limpopo May leaders be exemplary And may the Almighty protect and bless our land. Blessed be the land of Zimbabwe.. David Pearson and Elizabeth Morgan Hemlock , Producers DISCUSSION GUIDE Mugabe and the White African |3 PoV tAbLe of contents credits 4 Introduction Writer 5 Potential Partners Faith Rogow, PhD 5 Key Issues Insighters Educational Consulting 5 Using This Guide background Writers and editors 6 Background Information Kristine Wilton 6 Zimbabwe 7 Mount Carmel Farm Guide Producers, PoV 8 Southern African Development Eliza Licht Director, Community Tribunal Community Engagement & Education, POV 9 Definitions of Racism Jamie Dobie 10 General Discussion Questions Coordinator, 10 Discussion Prompts Community Engagement & Education, POV 12 Taking Action Design: Rafael Jiménez 13 Resources Copy Editor: Natalie Danford 15 How to Buy the Film thanks to those who reviewed this guide: Timothy Scarnecchia Associate Professor, Department of History, Kent State University introduction David Moore Professor, Development Studies, in Zimbabwe, de facto dictator Robert Mugabe has un - University of Johannesburg leashed a “land reform” program aimed at driving whites Sara Cohan from the country through violence and intimidation. Mugabe Human Rights Education Specialist and the White African , a 90-minute documentary, much of which was filmed clandestinely, tells the alarming story of one family of proud “white Africans” who fight back. The courage Mike campbell and his family display as they defend their farm — in international court and on the ground — is both inspiring and harrowing. As an outreach tool, this record of the campbell family’s experiences raises questions about race, racism, human rights, international law, the strength of faith and family and, ultimately, the complex legacy of european colonization of Africa. DISCUSSION GUIDE Mugabe and the White African |4 PoV PotentiAL PArtners key issues Mugabe and the White African is well suited for use in a variety of Mugabe and the White African is an excellent tool settings and is especially recommended for use with: for outreach and will be of special interest to people looking to explore the following topics: • your local Pbs station • Groups that have discussed previous Pbs and PoV films Africa relating to Africa, land rights, human rights or international African nationalism law, including Promised Land, Agriculture The Reckoning: The Battle for the International Criminal black nationalism Court, Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars and Good Fortune. british colonialism • Groups focused on any of the issues listed in the key issues section dictatorship • high school students human rights • faith-based organizations and institutions imperialism • cultural, art and historical organizations, institutions and international law museums Justice • civic, fraternal and community groups Land ownership • Academic departments and student groups at colleges, Land reform/land use policy universities and high schools Mugabe, robert • community organizations with a mission to promote Political power and patronage education and learning, such as local libraries race racial and class privilege racism usinG this Guide reconciliation This guide is an invitation to dialogue. it is based on a belief in the power reparations of human connection, designed for people who want to use Mugabe social justice and the White African to engage family, friends, classmates, colleagues southern African development community and communities. in contrast to initiatives that foster debates in which participants try to convince others that they are right, this document Violence envisions conversations undertaken in a spirit of openness in which peo - Zimbabwe ple try to understand one another and expand their thinking by sharing viewpoints and listening actively. The discussion prompts are intentionally crafted to help a wide range of audiences think more deeply about the issues in the film. Rather than attempting to address them all, choose one or two that best meet your needs and interests. And be sure to leave time to consider taking ac - tion. Planning next steps can help people leave the room feeling ener - gized and optimistic, even in instances when conversations have been difficult. For more detailed event planning and facilitation tips, visit www.pbs.org/pov/outreach DISCUSSION GUIDE Mugabe and the White African |5 PoV bAckGround inforMAtion ZiMbAbWe Land and economic reforms Located in southern Africa, Zimbabwe is a land-locked na - under British colonial rule and the white minority ruled tion of 13 million people. The population is approximately 98 Rhodesian government, it was commonplace for whites to percent black African and 1 percent white.
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