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The Devil Came On Horseback (2006) - Movie Review

One Man Attempts to Stop the Genocide in Darfur

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The Devil Came On Horseback (2006) - Movie Review

Brian Steidle with Darfurian in The Devil Came On Horseback

International Film Circuit
Brian Steidle was quite surprised to find himself an advocate for social and political change--when his personal point of view about the world of international politics was transformed by his serving as an observer for the African Union in the Sudan. For six months, he watched the Sudanese Arab-controlled government actively engage in an ongoing systematic genocide against black citizens living in the country’s Darfur region. He decided he had to do something to save hundreds of thousands of innocent people from slaughter.

Reporting the Truth About Darfur

The Devil Came On Horseback is about Brian Steidle’s commitment, about his heroic efforts to end the genocide in Darfur. Steidle, who grew up in a military family and served in the US Marine Corps, is clearly a man of action. It was excruciating for him to stand by and watch as the Janjaweed (or Devils on Horseback), the name given to the local government-supported militia, tortured, raped and murdered men, women and children in rural villages throughout the Darfur region. His job was to document and report on the situation. He photographed and recorded events as villages were burned to the ground, and charred and mutilated human bodies were left in the ruins to rot. Although his ‘observer’ status prevented him from taking action against the brutality and carnage, it also gave him unparalleled access to be a first hand witness to the horrors of the genocide. Steidle leaked his findings to journalists unable to get to the remote villages in Darfur. He hoped widespread media exposure of the situation would move the American people and government to take action against the atrocities. In the same spirit of trying to bring about change for the good, Steidle presents the story of what has become his personal crusade in The Devil Came of Horseback.

Telling Brian Steidle's Story

Directed by Annie Sundberg and Ricki Stern, the film shows how Steidle’s mission evolves. He starts out as an objective observer, but develops a deeply personal passion for making positive changes for the Darfurian people who are suffering so severely.

"I stood there for six months and watched people die, and I took pictures of them," he says, expressing the sense of loss and outrage that has deepened his commitment to end the genocide.

Through recounting Steidle‘s own journey of realization, The Devil Came on Horseback makes audiences aware in no uncertain terms of what has happened and is still happening in the Sudan.

After Steidle’s stint with as observer for the African Union in the Sudan ends, he returns to the US, testifies before Congress and briefs Condoleeza Rice on the situation. Unfortunately, his testimony didn’t cause Congress or Condoleeza to do anything to help.

That’s why this film is so important. Steidle’s photos of the dead, his comments about the genocide and the testimony of survivors are a powerful call for people around the world to take action to stop the genocide.

The Story Will Shock You Into Action

Make no mistake, The Devil Came On Horseback is a brutal film--one that’s difficult to watch. There’s no question that Steidle is heroic in his persistence, and he has succeeded in raising awareness about the situation--but he alone can’t convince the US government and other authorities to intervene.

The UN wants to send peacekeepers to the Sudan, but the Sudanese government refuses permission. With US support, the UN might be able to send peacekeepers anyway, but the US isn’t stepping up. So, the carnage continues.

Over 450,000 people have been slaughtered in the Sudan; over 2.5 million people have been displaced from their homes by murderous raids on their villages, Darfurians live under the constant threat of terrorism.

With extraordinary steadfastness Steidle tours the US lecturing on what is happening in Darfar, showing his photographs and telling of the ravages of genocide. And asking for public support.

Steidle’s heroism exemplifies the American belief in human rights and decency. It’s incredibly frustrating to see how his efforts are ignored and thwarted by US authorities. That’s where this documentary film can help Brian Steidle make a difference. Watch it and allow yourself to be moved to action.

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