War and Peace
When peaceful protests calling for the release of Nelson Mandela and an end to apartheid broke out in South Africa, they marked a key moment of 20th century history. Decades after the Freedom Charter's demand that "The People Shall Govern", the era of institutionalized human rights abuses finally came to an end. Intrinsically linked with the story of the Nobel Peace Prize winner and international human rights symbol and featuring rare footage shot prior to his imprisonment, this unique social documentary by seminal filmmaker Jurgen Schadeberg provides a comprehensive history of the ANC from 1912 to 1994.
Tracing the roots of the conflict to the late 19th century rush for diamonds, and illustrating the story extensively with key archival footage, 'War and Peace' focuses equally on the leaders at the forefront of the freedom movement - Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Ahmed Kathrada, Dr James Moroka, Oliver Tambo and Albert Lutuli - as well as South African citizens fighting for their rights in the streets. It examines the evolution of the protests from the peaceful defiance campaign to increasingly more violent armed struggle against segregation. Featuring drastic riots footage of militants setting people alight and of police brutality, it unearths a powerful picture of a fight to overthrow a discriminatory society. Produced not long after the release of Nelson Mandela, it captures a hopeful moment for a better future in South Africa.
00:02:24:11 South African miners dig for diamonds circa 1920.
00:06:10:02 Mine-owners seen employing cheap young black workers.
00:08:22:07 Still images of ANC leaders Dr James Moroka, Oliver Tambo, Nelson Mandela and Walter Sisulu.
00:09:17:21 scenes of visual separation and segregation of blacks and whites.
00:09:53:12 Defiance campaign and street protests.
00:10:21:14 Freedom Charter adopted.
00:11:31:12 court footage of 154 ANC demonstrators being acquitted.
00:16:35:01 Albert Lutuli being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo.
00:17:01:02 South Africans burning their passes in protest.
00:19:38:14 Rare footage of Nelson Mandela just before being sentenced to prison.
00:30:01:08 Armed struggle and vigilante violence in Cape Town.
00:30:30:18 Burning shacks and more confrontational fighting in streets.
00:32:02:19 Militants smashing windows and setting people alight.
00:32:27:18 Peaceful street protest for the release of Nelson Mandela.
00:33:16:23 police beating and whipping protestors.
00:39:53:13 final enormous peaceful protest by all religious groups calling for an end to apartheid.
00:40:40:17 Johannesburg today, mixed, festive and apartheid-free.
00:42:31:22 Public speech by South Africa President FW De Klerk.
FULL SYNOPSIS