Zimbabwe: Shadows and Lies

A piece of reportage by the American television station PBS, this film presents an overview of the deep political problems of Zimbabwe under Robert Mugabe. A once prosperous country has gradually turned from a democracy into a dictatorship since the first post–colonial elections in 1980 by repressing opposition and carrying out the forced nationalisation of land. The country also suffers from other measures typical of dictatorships, such as show trials and the limiting of free speech, aimed at keeping the reigns of power in the hands of the current leadership. The Zimbabwean dollar has been destroyed by rampant inflation and a parallel black market is blooming. The film's makers characterise Zimbabwe as a country on its knees. Filming illegally, they interview opposition members who have taken a risk appearing in front of the cameras. They document the empty shelves of the country's shops and the dissatisfaction of a populace suffocated by a fear of repression. The makers also capture the mass flow of refugees migrating to neighbouring South Africa.