In Africa the Congo has become synonymous with suffering.¬† Generation after generation screwed by European plunderers and African dictators alike.¬†¬† Its a cesspit of selfish foreign policy, not least the World Bank and the CIA, who historically stuffed juggernauts of dollar filled brown paper bags down Mobutu’s insatiable pockets.
Few journalists have been as committed to sharing the horror with the rest of the world as Marcus Bleasdale.  Its a mighty kick in the balls of cynicism that Bleasdale has continued to believe that anyone has been listening. It turns out they have.
Media Storm’s ‘Rape of a Nation‘ brings together Bleasdale’s photos to devastating effect.
But certain aspects of this film leave me disappointed.
Its Bleasdale’s photos and their poignant subjects that should be the star of this film, not his face. We don’t need to see Bleasdale to believe him.¬† His voice is full of compassion, but the delivery feels scripted and besides Bleasdale the brilliant photographer would never have shot himself that way. He stands for something else.
One other thing.
I watched this film with an African friend, he wanted to know where are the Congolese voices?
Victims have voices, voices that should be heard. Photographers press buttons that make machines go click.
Together they can change the world. Bleasdale clearly believes so.
Go Marcus go.
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