Watch Africa Addio

Africa Addio is a controversial documentary film released in 1966, directed by Gualtiero Jacopetti and Franco Prosperi, who also produced the acclaimed shockumentary Mondo Cane. The movie explores the struggles and changes faced by various African countries during their transition from colonialism to independence. The film is divided into two parts, the first focusing on Africa's colonial era, and in the second, the directors capture the chaos that ensues after the period of decolonization.

The film documents the final moments of colonial rule in Africa, from Somalia to South Africa, and the ensuing violence and unrest that leads to the independence of various African countries. The movie captures rare footage of bloody conflicts in Congo, Tanganyika (modern-day Tanzania), Kenya, and Angola, where anti-colonial movements fought fiercely for their freedom. Africa Addio deals with the sensitive subject matter of racism and colonial exploitation, showing how Africans were dehumanized and treated as second-class citizens by their European "masters".

Some of the scenes in the documentary are shocking and graphic, including scenes of tribal warfare, hunting, and the slaughter of animals. One of the most infamous sequences is the killing of a baby elephant, which proved to be one of the most controversial parts of the movie. The filmmakers captured the gruesome ritual killing of the elephant, from the hunt to the slaughter, and shockingly edited the death of the animal into a montage of African people, with the purpose of highlighting the savage customs of the continent.

Throughout the documentary, the filmmakers use footage of African wildlife and landscapes, juxtaposed with scenes of extreme violence and human suffering. The filmmakers portray Africa as a continent in chaos, plunging into anarchy and collapse following the withdrawal of colonial powers. The movie is a reflection of the time in which it was made, where the European view of Africa was rooted in colonialism and racism.

Africa Addio is a historical document of the turbulent times when Africa gained independence from its colonial powers. The documentary follows the emergence of African leaders such as Ghana's Kwame Nkrumah and Kenya's Jomo Kenyatta as key figures in the continent's struggle for freedom. The director's focus on scenes of violence and struggle was intended to highlight the harsh realities of life for ordinary Africans who were oppressed by European colonial powers.

In its time, the movie was both praised and vilified. Some saw it as a vital and honest document of Africa's struggles for liberation, while others saw it as a racist and exploitative film that perpetuated the worst stereotypes of Africa. Today, it remains a polarizing work that continues to shock and provoke discussion.

In conclusion, Africa Addio is a controversial documentary film that captures the turmoil of Africa's decolonization era. It's a film that presents a complex and nuanced portrayal of Africa during a transformative period of its history. The documentary has been criticized for its biased portrayal of African people and its graphic representation of violence. Nevertheless, it remains an important document of a time when the continent was undergoing profound changes and transitions.