About the film

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?

 

Much of this film was shot covertly.  To have been caught filming would have meant imprisonment.  

AWARDS: Winner: Best Feature Documentary, British Independent Film Awards 2009Winner: Grand Jury Prize, Silverdocs Film Festival, USA 2009Winner: Special Jury Award, Hamptons Film Festival, USA 2009

 

Poster Design: Mother

Website Design  I2in

 

 500 black farmworkers, their wives and children lived and worked on the Campbell's farm.