Darfur Now
Sunday, 25 May 2008 10:54
Darfur Now covers six people's efforts to make a real difference to the ongoing humanitarian crisis
Directed by Ted Braun, out November 2nd 2007, starring Don Cheadle, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, George Clooney, running time 99 minutes.
In a nutshell…
Uplifting, inspiring, optimistic, poignant
What's it all about?
Ted Braun's latest documentary effort covers six people's efforts to make a real difference to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Sudan's Darfur region. The film is an essay in showing what can be achieved by ordinary people on the global stage – although it helps that some of the ordinary people featured in the movie are film stars and international prosecutors. Braun infuses the audience with the spirit of political activism – passion and hope, not misery and despair.
Who's in it?
Don Cheadle of Hotel Rwanda is the best-known face of the six activists. Also prominent is Luis Moreno Ocampo, the international criminal court's chief prosecutor whose battles with Khartoum and the English language make for interesting viewing. Humanitarian worker Pablo Ecalde is on the ground in Darfur, as are a tribal leader and female rebel fighter.
As an example…
"The time for words has drawn to a close and action despeately needs to take its place" - Don Cheadle.
"Indifference is complicity" – Adam Sterling, California-based activist
Likelihood of a trip to the Oscars
Darfur Now missed out on a nomination for the 2008 Oscars, but that's more a reflection of the increasing quality of the documentary genre than anything else.
What the others say
"This is the kind of film that doesn't end after the credits roll, and it's a gold-star example for what a documentary should do: inspire." – Chicago Tribune
"Theodore Braun's heartfelt documentary is undeniably important. But it may not be quite focused enough to ignite the passion he so clearly wants his audience to feel." – New York Daily News
So is it any good?
Strangely enough, anyone in a depressed mood can contemplate going to see Darfur Now to cheer themselves up. Its title does not promise comedy – there is some, but not much, light relief available – but after the initial statement of facts about the terrible situation in Darfur come six truly inspiring stories about people whose outlooks are far from browbeaten.
All Braun's chosen characters vary in their points of interest, from the utter misery painted on the face of the rebel fighter to the passion of US-based activist Stilwell. Teaming up with Cheadle, Stilwell achieves a big legislative win endorsed by California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger – a triumphant note upon which to walk out of the cinema.
But the real star of the show, despite his lack of progress, is ICC chief prosecutor Moreno-Ocampo. His profound belief in the value of justice shines through, a faith inspiring in its untainted vision. Braun reveals startlingly personal moments in the life of this man known the world over for his efforts. Whether struggling with his English at the UN or crying down the phone to family members back in South America, the film sympathetically portrays him as an extremely likeable man – with a huge weight on his shoulders.
Moreno-Ocampo's spirit, and those of the other five people Braun chose to follow in 2007, is what is best about Darfur Now. Perhaps there should have been a little more attention paid to the complex nature of the situation on the ground in Sudan itself. Such a film would certainly have been upsetting and illuminating – but nowhere near as inspiring to western observers. This is more a call to action than a movie.
7/10
Alex Stevenson
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