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Mugabe and the White African

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97% Tomatometer 36 Reviews 90% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
Michael Campbell -- a white, 75-year-old farmer living in Zimbabwe -- stands up for his rights against an oppressive government in this fascinating documentary. Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's controversial "Land Reform" system has forced most white farmers out of the country, turning their properties over to inexperienced government officials. But Campbell, determined to defend his farm (and the black workers and family members who live there), takes his case to international court.
Mugabe and the White African

What to Know

Critics Consensus

As much legal thriller as objective documentary, this account of a farmer's battle with Zimbabwe's regime serves as a powerful and emotional attack upon President Mugabe.

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Critics Reviews

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Cliff Doerksen Chicago Reader 01/04/2011
The result is part legal thriller, part five-hankie melodrama. Go to Full Review Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times 09/02/2010
3/4
In a continent where despotic rule is not uncommon, there is little argument that Mugabe is the most monstrous of rulers. Go to Full Review Gary Goldstein Los Angeles Times 08/13/2010
4/5
Bailey and Thompson managed to create a remarkably vivid portrait of a land and its people, while bringing us two unforgettable heroes in Campbell and Freeth. Go to Full Review Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com 09/17/2020
3.0/4.0
Filming is banned in Zimbabwe, so Bailey and Thompson are themselves risking their lives to film this documentary. Go to Full Review David Harris Spectrum Culture 10/28/2019
3/5
The most interesting aspect of the film is when it questions the definition of an African. Go to Full Review Nick Davis Nick's Flick Picks 09/06/2010
C+
The filmmakers leave massive and sometimes reactionary holes in a film that could easily have pled a more accommodating and sophisticated yet equally airtight case. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Justin N Sep 9 The film is completely 1 sided. It opens with the president giving a speech comparing himself to Hitler. A speech that was taken out of context in order to immediately allowed your brain to associate the president with evil. They twist statistics and misconstrued facts. This movie is made to tug on your heart string rather than be biased and give an accurate presentation of what was happening. That being said this family suffering was real. I don't think that violence perpetrated against them was right. See more 12/01/2013 A truly touching documentary providing a first-hand look into the ongoing land issues across southern Africa. Misguided assumptions are torn down by Michael Campbell's story and those close to him. See more 05/16/2013 When doing docs about Africa, please interview Africans!!!! See more 05/07/2013 one of the best docs i've seen in a while, if you really disagree with racism, you have to watch this. See more 02/18/2013 Great documentary on the land grab by the corrupt Mugabe regime. See more 09/15/2012 A fantastic inside look at racial persecution from an unlikely point of view. Excellent dramaturgy and editing, one of the better documentaries I've seen. See more Read all reviews
Mugabe and the White African

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Cast & Crew

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Lucy Bailey

Director

Andrew Thompson

Director

Angela Campbell

Actor

Laura Freeth

Actor

Pauline Burt

Executive Producer

Steve Milne

Executive Producer

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Mugabe and the White African

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Movie Info

Synopsis Michael Campbell -- a white, 75-year-old farmer living in Zimbabwe -- stands up for his rights against an oppressive government in this fascinating documentary. Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's controversial "Land Reform" system has forced most white farmers out of the country, turning their properties over to inexperienced government officials. But Campbell, determined to defend his farm (and the black workers and family members who live there), takes his case to international court.
Director
Lucy Bailey, Andrew Thompson
Producer
Elizabeth Morgan Hemlock, David Pearson
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
British English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 7, 2009, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 23, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$4.5K
Runtime
1h 30m