preview

Genocide In The Film The Devil Came On Horseback

Decent Essays
Open Document

Genocide is rightfully seen as one of the most emotionally heavy words in the English language. When many people think of genocide, they might correlate the word to the attempted, and nearly successful, extermination of the Jewish people during World War II. To stand by and watch fellow human beings killing each other because of their race, religion, sexuality, etc., leads many to conclude those who stand by are just as guilty as those who commit the act. Unfortunately, horrendous acts are kept silent from the global eye, as the film The Devil Came on Horseback intends to show us. Anne Sundeburg’s 2007 documentary, The Devil Came on Horseback, creatively uses persuasion techniques, which include: the credibility of Marine Brian Steidle, his …show more content…

Brian’s original mission was to document the situation, leading to thousands of heart-breaking photos being captured. Through the vast amount of images Brian took, the filmmakers chose to use only a small amount to portray the horrendous acts. Images of innocent school children being massacred would invoke rage in any person with a child or a young family member. The photographs that show those who had no way to fight back, such as the elderly and infants, quite plainly portrays the Darfur people as those who cannot help themselves from the Janjaweed or the Sudanese government. We see images of a father who was murdered in his attempt to save his daughter from being burned alive. Truly, seeing the barbarity that the Janjaweed have, we mentally give them the image of monsters without a soul. To further the Janjaweed and Sudanese militia’s devilish actions, we are shown more damage the Janjaweed has placed on the peoples of Darfur, specifically the women. Rape, used as a weapon of social destruction within communities, is used against the women and affect many more people. Brian explains that the women often do not say they have been sexually assaulted due to the fear their husbands will leave them and being forced to live in shame. We are shown women who …show more content…

It is possible that one of the reasons for the momentum for the cause slowed down is due to the Great Recession between 2007-2008, around a year after The Devil Came on Horseback was released. Americans became more focused on their own needs than those of other countries or even the less fortunate in the United States. The compelling techniques utilized by the filmmaker could not overcome the changing environment or mindsets in America. Being an activist or seeking to aid other countries is highly disliked in today’s America, as there has been an increase in nationalism from its citizens. Although it might seem harsh, it does seem logical for some to worry about getting their own lives into an orderly state before interfering in those of others. There are even groups who believe that the people of Darfur brought this crisis upon themselves. Ultimately, the work of Anne Sundeburg and Brian Steidle failed to bring Darfur liberation from their hardships and suffering; however, it did successfully inform the public for a fleeting

Get Access