Watch Concerning Violence

Concerning Violence is a documentary film directed by Göran Olsson and released in 2014. The film explores the topic of colonisation and exploitation of Africa and its people through a combination of archival footage and interviews with activists, scholars, and African revolutionaries. Lauryn Hill provides the narration for the documentary, guiding the viewer through the different episodes and themes of the film. The film is based on Frantz Fanon's 1961 book, The Wretched of the Earth, which is a study of the effects of colonialism on African societies.

The documentary is divided into nine chapters. The first chapter establishes the historical context of European colonialism in Africa, while the second and third chapters explore the resistance movements in Algeria and Mozambique respectively. The fourth chapter examines the role of pan-Africanism, while the fifth focuses on the situation in Angola.

In the sixth chapter, the documentary explores the role of women in the liberation movements in Zimbabwe and Namibia. The seventh chapter delves into the question of violence and non-violence in the struggles for liberation, while the eighth chapter reflects on the rhetoric of Western politicians and intellectuals towards Africa.

The final chapter of the documentary is a call to action, urging viewers to take up the struggle against imperialism and the exploitation of Africa.

Throughout the documentary, archival footage and interviews are used to illustrate the different themes discussed. The footage features scenes of colonial atrocities, the racist rhetoric of European powers, and the liberation struggles of African nations. The interviews feature prominent scholars such as Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, as well as activists and revolutionaries like Amilcar Cabral and Thomas Sankara.

One of the most striking aspects of the documentary is its frank depiction of the violence of colonialism and the resistance movements that opposed it. The film shows footage of European settlers shooting African protestors and massacring entire communities, as well as scenes of African guerillas fighting against colonial powers. The documentary does not shy away from showing the brutal realities of the struggle for liberation, and the toll that it took on African societies.

Throughout the documentary, Lauryn Hill's narration provides a powerful and poetic commentary on the themes explored. Her words are both a critique of colonialism and a tribute to the resilience and courage of the African people in the face of oppression.

Overall, Concerning Violence is a powerful and thought-provoking documentary that challenges viewers to confront the realities of colonialism and its enduring legacy in the world today. The film is a tribute to the African people and their struggles for liberation, and a call to action for all those who seek to build a more just and equitable world.

Concerning Violence is a 2014 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 29 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5 and a MetaScore of 80.