We Come As Friends

director: Hubert Sauper

original title: We Come As Friends

country: France, Austria

year: 2014

running time: 105 min.

synopsis

The director flies into Sudan at the time of the referendum on dividing the country into two: Sudan and South Sudan. Rather than focusing on this political act, however, he focuses more on the economic and environmental exploitation of local resources by Western and Chinese companies, which has had immense consequences, from the desperate living conditions of the local inhabitants to corrupt and impassive public officials. A caustic exploration of the heart of darkness into which the country’s beauty and wealth are changed by those who “come as friends”.

DETAIL:
“Now you may start feeling strange. Strangeness penetrates you. It enters your heart. You recall some sinister memories that you prefer to forget. From now on you are complete stranger. You are an alien.”

biography

Austrian documentarian and world traveller Hubert Sauper studied film directing in Vienna and Paris. His films often examine African issues. Darwin’s Nightmare (2004), a look at the causes and consequences of fish harvesting in sub-Saharan Tanzania, received numerous awards including an Oscar nomination. In 2005, the film won the Special Jury Prize at the Ji.hlava IDFF.

more about film

director:	Hubert Sauper
producer:	Hubert Sauper, Gabriele Kranzelbinder
photography:	Hubert Sauper, Barney Broomfield
editing:	Hubert Sauper, Cathie Dambel, Denise Vindevogel
music:	Slim Twig
sound:	Veronika Hlawatsch

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