King Leopold II of Belgium in the early 20th century turned the Congo into a vast rubber-harvesting labour camp in which he killed millions and amputated the hands of tens of thousands while claiming he was civilising the African.
Although represented in the west as typical “african savagery” the chopping off of hands was promoted by white people as a means of terrorising Africans to collect rubber in order to make Europeans rich. This is why one of the world’s richest countries is home to such misery today.
This award winning documentary sets the context for understanding the crisis in Kivu, the 5 milllion Congolese deaths in the last ten years and why Patrice Lumumba was assassinated by Western governments. The Congo was also crucial to the winning of World War 2.
Followed by panel discussion
When? – Saturday 21 March 2pm-4.30pm
Where? – BFI Southbank (near Royal Festival Hall), Belvedere Road SE1
Tube – Waterloo.
Tickets ₤5.
Phone 0207 928 3232
