Stealing a Nation 2005
Distributed by Bullfrog Films, PO Box 149, Oley, PA 19547; 800-543-FROG (3764)
Produced by John Pilger and Christopher Martin
Directed by John Pilger and Christopher Martin
VHS, color, 56 min.
Sr. High - Adult
Anthropology, Ethics, Geography, History, Human Rights, International Relations, Military Studies, Political Science
Date Entered: 09/21/2005
Reviewed by Douglas Reed, Department of Political Science, Ouachita Baptist University, Arkadelphia, ARIn Stealing a Nation, award-winning filmmaker John Pilger champions the cause of the Chagosians in their struggle to re-claim their homeland.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the British government took steps to remove the residents of the Chagos Islands. Their goal was to provide a military installation for the United States. Government documents clearly reveal the duplicity of those involved in expelling these British citizens from their homeland. Publicly portraying the Chagosians as temporary workers and declaring the Islands had no permanent residents, government officials sidestepped international law. Ultimately, the Chagosians were forced to re-locate in Mauritius. Initially, they received no government assistance and most lived in abject poverty. The Chagosians continued pushing for resettlement and public pressure prompted the British to provide them a small one-time stipend. However, many Chagosians were illiterate and did not realize they were signing away any right to make future claims against the British government. Then in November of 2000, the British High Court ruled in favor of the Chagosians, arguing they should be allowed to return to their native soil. The current British government, however, has avoided the court order by utilizing the power of an archaic crown prerogative.
Stealing a Nation provides an effective indictment of First World power politics. It is an exposé well-supported by vintage film footage shot by missionaries as well as the British government. These video clips show that prior to their expulsion, residents of Diego Garcia (one of the largest Chagos Islands) had a peaceful, established society. Pilger also justifies his claims with incriminating excerpts from de-classified British and U.S. government documents. Throughout the film, he puts a human face on the victims of this policy with personal testimonies and appalling photos of those who endured the ordeal.
Stealing a Nation won “Best Single Documentary” at the 2004 Royal Television Society Programme Awards. Out of over 200 entries, it was among 32 films showcased at the 2005 United Nations Association Film Festival at Stanford University.
Highly recommended for ethics, political science, and contemporary issues courses.