Rhodesia Countdown - a 31min doc

http://journeyman.booserver.com/store?p=1477

May 1969
This film explores the conflicts within Rhodesian society in 1969. The 'Countdown' theme demonstrates stage by stage, the levels of indignity, injustice and degradation one black man endures before finally starting to fight back against his white master. Using actors to tell different parts of the story, Raeburn's film gives an insight into typical attitudes in the society at the time. There is the wealthy white man who keeps young black boys as servants, and thinks he can effectively abduct a black woman by offering her money. Her husband searches in vain for her, only to be accosted by a white official who lectures him on all that the white people have done for the country. There is also a group of journalists discussing the segregated politics and whether blacks have the right to vote. When the black man finally cracks and resorts to violence, there is a lone white girl defending his right to justice.
Throughout the story, the cultural and social divide between the whites and blacks is evident. Comparisons are drawn between the rich city centre where whites live, and the slums on the edge of the city where the blacks' homes are. Whites hold official, well-paid and prestigious jobs, when the blacks are labourers. Whites are always the masters.
The overriding conclusion is that the blacks have two choices: "We have can either accept a permanent state of inferiority, or to defy the government. We choose to defy the government."

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Journeyman
• Pictures
• Rhodesia
• Zimbabwe
• Africa
• countdwon
• conflicts
• indignity
• injustice
• degradation
• documentary
• news
• current affairs
• journeyman
• journeyman pictures

[G58]

I served. Where the fuck were you?

So Raeburn has finally seen the error of his earlier work? Is that what you're saying? I doubt it.

Smith was a man of his time, a realist, and a war hero who served his country and all his people well. Blacks were far far better off under Smith than under mugabe. Why?

Who's the racist? mugabe treats anyone who doesn't support zanu like shit, to the point of denying them food housing & even life. And you have the fucking nerve to call Smith a racist? Idiot.

[Skelm49]

This is a lot of rubish. It is acted as no-one spoke like that in the old time.

This mr Raeburn himself is the actor. Amazing that he was allowed to make this movie. Amazing that he came back later and had to agree that he was wrong when he saw the ruines of Zimbabwe.

Yes everything is staged and he is the actor. And everything is a lie....

[rapartist43]

100% propaganda.

[GoldRing09]

I want to see this documentary so badly.

[SweetDimplesThe1st]

@RhodesianBok...Actually I did not jump to conclusions, I formed an OPINION which I believe I am very much entitled to, just as you are.

[RhodesianBok]

@SweetDimplesThe1st This is a film made by an extreme left wing Englishman intent on denigrating Rhodesians... You should have read the preamble before you jumped to conclusions.....

[chowks]

I watched this documentary and found it fascinating. Raeburn's follow-up film denouncing the Mugabe regime further outlined the influence Frantz Fanon's work has had on Raeburn.

The nostalgia of the Rhodesian past in the video comments seems to be viewed through today's woes. Perhaps it would be better to not forget that the past era was not so honourable and full of promise for all. Repeating the mantra "they'd never had it so good" only comforts those who had it better (and demanded better).

[SweetDimplesThe1st]

How sickening to see this white man treat these grown adults with such arrogance and pure hatred...

[Fookwah]

Rhodesian Blacks had the highest standard of living in Africa. They lived far better than Zimbo's do now. Also, Mugabe was beaten on the battlefield everytime. It was English Political meddling that gave Mugabe the nation. ZANU won nothing. They were given it, by England, like welfare. It's in ruins now.