2007 Toronto International Documentary Festival Reviews
Courtesy Break Thru Films
The Devil Came on Horseback
Director: Annie Sundberg and Ricki Stern, U.S.A.
The Devil Came on Horseback was a fabulously documented film that needs to be viewed by the general population so that we can grow in awareness and advocate on behalf of the helpless, hopeless and repressed in the Sudan. Upon seeing the vividly cruel and unspeakable photos and hearing the various stories told, it conjured up within me the atrocities that the Rwandans suffered in their country's 1994 genocide. In 1994, international troops were deployed to serve in the Balkan War and as a result, the world ignored Rwanda. The United Nations bureaucratic red tape also proved to be too robust to penetrate that it acted too late to bring about any significant changes to the genocide and the some 500,000 deaths of ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus. Twelve years later, here we are with another African country undergoing genocide with little of the world's intervention and aid. Organizations are on the ground and some aid is getting through, however, when will displaced people be able to finally head home and return to living their lives on their land? When will the pillaging of villages, rape, and murders end? The world ignored Rwanda and acted too late. The United Nations and countries who have the resources and power need to make it a priority to ensure that long lasting changes are brought to the country and where injustices are no longer committed by their government and allied forces.
The Sudanese government needs to be held accountable for its crimes against humanity and there needs to be a stop to the bleeding and suffering that continues to plague that country. If the “coalition forces” can topple the former Iraq regime, why can't the same be done to the government of the Sudan?
As Ricki Stern conveyed during this afternoon's Q & A, the movie was about a former U.S. Marine Captain's personal transformation as a result of his eyewitness account of the atrocities of genocide in Sudan. He had ventured off into parts where outsiders could not access and Brian Steidle is to be applauded for his courage and passionate mission to bring about growing awareness and positive change to the immense suffering that has and is indicative of the Sudan.
The photos that Brian took in his journey to investigate, research and inform were profound because they tell a story...one that is gloomy, heart-wrenching and full of despair. Nevertheless, through despair and hopelessness, there can be change and hopefully, this documentary can continue to inform, challenge, motivate and inspire people to collectively fight to help save the people in the Sudan.
Ordinary people like you and I, who share a collective voice can bring about change. Do your part in pressuring your politicians and sharing with others about the atrocities that are being suffered by an overwhelming number of people in Sudan right now.
Without the King
Director: Michael Skolnik, U.S.A.
Michael Skolnik is a gutsy, humble and passionate about the deep issues addressed in this documentary and a true student of the film's subject matter. Your passionate interest was expressed during the Q & A and it is apparent in your film as the original intention and purpose of the film was altered to include the perspective and viewpoints of some of the country's people living in poverty. In the process, Skolnik was able to authentically expose the jarring realities of day-to-day life of several small townships in the country. How do you reconcile or justify a kingdom or riches and yet a kingdom of extreme poverty and massive injustice, social and political unrest? Two poignant statistics featured in the film
King Mswati III ascended the throne at a very young age and he's has not known much other than the role that he had to take on so early in his life. Although Swaziland is governed by an absolute monarchy, the King and his advisors and government should work hard to recognize the bleak realities of the country because it seems as though a boiling point is soon going to be reached. He has power to act and He should act in good faith to serve his people fairly, democratically and justly. As more and more people see this film, they would grown in awareness of the harsh plight of the people of Swaziland and the heart-breaking realities that face this African nation. Most critically, I hope and pray that as King Mswati III views this documentary that he will be moved to use his position of power to bring about some revolutionary and long lasting positive changes to his impoverished kingdom.
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