Evaluation of a Documentary: The Devil Came on Horseback (2007)

Some important background information, side notes, and disclaimers:
Background of the Documentary: This film takes us inside the Darfur region of Sudan, Africa and shows us the realities of genocide (systematic killing of one group by another; the most notorious instance of genocide was the Holocaust in Germany). Africa is a continent filled with more than fifty countries and hundreds of cultures. Sudan (now broken into two separate countries: North & South) is just one of many countries and cultures. Captain Brian Steidle, a former U.S. Marine, takes us on his journey into uncovering the truth about what’s been happening inside the Darfur region of Sudan for years.
Note that in this instance, the militia (the JEM and the SLA) are considered “the good guys,” while the government, President Omar Al Bashir and his militia (the Janjaweed), are the ones responsible for the genocide, so they are the “bad guys.”
Side Notes & Disclaimers: There are a few moments of graphic photos of bodies at various points throughout the film. If you are concerned that you won’t be able to endure the emotional content of the film, you must email to be given an alternate assignment for the week.
Please, during your evaluation of the film, behave in a manner appropriate for this type of serious subject. I know that 99% of you don’t need for me to say that, but over the last few years I’ve heard some very disturbing and insensitive comments. In full disclosure, I’ll tell you now that anything less than thoughtfulness and respect regarding this subject will not be tolerated. This subject is literally a matter of human life. This doesn’t mean you can’t critique the film . . . this is a film evaluation after all. Just make sure you stick to evaluation of the film, and do not slip into an “it’s not my problem” or “those people” sort of mindset during the evaluation. That is not productive.

Information for Your Evaluation of the Film:

1. Who is the target audience? How did you reach your conclusion about this? Please note that not everyone is the film’s target audience; not even everyone in the United States is likely the audience. Though the filmmaker, and Brian, would be thrilled if everyone watched it and responded favorably to it, that’s just not a likely scenario. So, ask yourself who is most like to have access to this film (it was not widely released in theaters), who is most likely to be interested in this subject matter, and who is most likely to want to do something about it? When you figure out those groups/demographics, you have determined the target audience.
2. What are the filmmaker’s goals? What does she want her viewers to believe, do, etc.?
3. What techniques are used by filmmakers? (Remember, what we are viewing is very real, but there are still attempts made to make the information more powerful and persuasive.)
4. Which techniques are effective and which ones will fail to persuade the target audience? Why?

Write 350-500+ words in your journal evaluation of the film (using the above questions as a guide). Keep in mind that you could turn this journal entry into a start for the longer essay.

The Documentary Film is found on Youtube under “Genocide in Darfur”- The Devil Came on Horseback posted bu user Armaita777. Let me know if any questions. Thank you!
Also note that I will be using this Journal as a draft of my major paper and if this journal is approved, I will be requesting your service again please and thank you in advance!!

Evaluation of a Documentary: The Devil Came on Horseback (2007)

Some important background information, side notes, and disclaimers:
Background of the Documentary: This film takes us inside the Darfur region of Sudan, Africa and shows us the realities of genocide (systematic killing of one group by another; the most notorious instance of genocide was the Holocaust in Germany). Africa is a continent filled with more than fifty countries and hundreds of cultures. Sudan (now broken into two separate countries: North & South) is just one of many countries and cultures. Captain Brian Steidle, a former U.S. Marine, takes us on his journey into uncovering the truth about what’s been happening inside the Darfur region of Sudan for years.
Note that in this instance, the militia (the JEM and the SLA) are considered “the good guys,” while the government, President Omar Al Bashir and his militia (the Janjaweed), are the ones responsible for the genocide, so they are the “bad guys.”
Side Notes & Disclaimers: There are a few moments of graphic photos of bodies at various points throughout the film. If you are concerned that you won’t be able to endure the emotional content of the film, you must email to be given an alternate assignment for the week.
Please, during your evaluation of the film, behave in a manner appropriate for this type of serious subject. I know that 99% of you don’t need for me to say that, but over the last few years I’ve heard some very disturbing and insensitive comments. In full disclosure, I’ll tell you now that anything less than thoughtfulness and respect regarding this subject will not be tolerated. This subject is literally a matter of human life. This doesn’t mean you can’t critique the film . . . this is a film evaluation after all. Just make sure you stick to evaluation of the film, and do not slip into an “it’s not my problem” or “those people” sort of mindset during the evaluation. That is not productive.

Information for Your Evaluation of the Film:

1. Who is the target audience? How did you reach your conclusion about this? Please note that not everyone is the film’s target audience; not even everyone in the United States is likely the audience. Though the filmmaker, and Brian, would be thrilled if everyone watched it and responded favorably to it, that’s just not a likely scenario. So, ask yourself who is most like to have access to this film (it was not widely released in theaters), who is most likely to be interested in this subject matter, and who is most likely to want to do something about it? When you figure out those groups/demographics, you have determined the target audience.
2. What are the filmmaker’s goals? What does she want her viewers to believe, do, etc.?
3. What techniques are used by filmmakers? (Remember, what we are viewing is very real, but there are still attempts made to make the information more powerful and persuasive.)
4. Which techniques are effective and which ones will fail to persuade the target audience? Why?

Write 350-500+ words in your journal evaluation of the film (using the above questions as a guide). Keep in mind that you could turn this journal entry into a start for the longer essay.

The Documentary Film is found on Youtube under “Genocide in Darfur”- The Devil Came on Horseback posted bu user Armaita777. Let me know if any questions. Thank you!
Also note that I will be using this Journal as a draft of my major paper and if this journal is approved, I will be requesting your service again please and thank you in advance!!