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Images of children’s charred remains, huddled together and constrained by makeshift handcuffs haunt the screen within the first 15 minutes of the gripping and emotionally shattering documentary “The Devil Came on Horseback.”
The devastatingly graphic documentary follows former U.S. Marine Brian Steidle’s epic journey into the heart of war-torn Darfur after he took a position in Southern Sudan on behalf of the African Union as a monitor of the newly instated ceasefire.
Equipped with only a camera and a notepad, Steidle documented the brutalities he witnessed in Darfur, completely unarmed. The Arab militias sponsored by Sudan’s Arab government, known as Janjaweed, launched a series of vast, violent raids on the African Muslims living in Darfur. The Janjaweed, known as “devils on horses,” are paid in loot and are allowed to burn and rape whatever crosses their paths.
Steidle hoped his reports detailing the horrific scene would serve as the catalyst for getting the United Nations or the U.S. to send troops to Darfur to end the violence. After six months of idly waiting for a response to no avail, Steidle returned to the U.S. in disgust to share the hundreds of graphic images he had compiled during his hellish stay in Darfur with whomever would listen.
At his sister’s urging, Steidle met with Nicholas D. Kristof, a columnist for The New York Times, who detailed Steidle’s account in a March 2, 2005 column titled “The American Witness.”
Directed by Annie Sundberg and Ricki Stern, “The Devil Came on Horseback” is an enthralling account of one man’s harrowing journey through Darfur and more importantly, what he did with this information afterward. The film does an exquisite job of capturing the situation in Darfur. However, the stories of the many victims are often overshadowed in the film by Steidle’s journey to relay the truth to the masses.
The most emotional and heart-wrenching moments of the film occur when screen time is given to the victims of the violent attacks who recount their unfathomable tales. Steidle’s personal life detracts from the displaced citizens of Darfur, who need a medium to relay their voices the most.
The documentary sheds light into the chaos in Darfur and urges viewers to take what they have seen out of the theater and into their own lives. The film demands humanity and begs viewers to funnel their disgust and sorrow into action in order to save the helpless people of Darfur.
“The Devil Came on Horseback” was screened at the Wexner Center Monday and Tuesday as part of a film festival in conjunction with the Towards a Transformative Agenda Around Race conference, as part of Ohio State’s Kirwan Institute. The film is currently available on Netflix.
“Manderlay,” a drama starring Bryce Dallas Howard, will be shown tonight at 5 p.m. at the Wexner Center as part of the film festival. A reception will immediately follow the screening.
Alexia Cameron can be reached at [email protected].
