Film Lens
La Badil (No Other Choice) is a documentary directed by Dominic Brown that focuses on the plight of the Sahrawi people in Western Sahara. The film captures the aftermath of the Gdeim Izik protest camp, where over 15,000 Sahrawis protested against Moroccan rule in 2010. The camp was violently dismantled by Moroccan security forces, resulting in the deaths of four Sahrawis and eleven Moroccan soldiers. Brown traveled undercover to the region on the second anniversary of this protest to document the ongoing human rights violations faced by the Sahrawi people.
The film includes interviews with human rights victims, such as an elderly woman who was attacked by Moroccan security forces. It also examines the political dynamics in the region, particularly the role of France in maintaining close ties with Morocco. The documentary argues that France's trade deals and its influence over the UN mission in Western Sahara contribute to the lack of justice for the Sahrawi people.
Why Watch
- •Meet the Sahrawi victims of human rights abuses.
- •See the impact of France's trade deals on Western Sahara.
- •Find out about the Gdeim Izik protest camp.
Did You Know
•Over 15,000 Sahrawis protested at Gdeim Izik in 2010.
•Four Sahrawis and eleven Moroccan soldiers were killed during the camp's dismantling.
•The documentary was filmed on the second anniversary of the Gdeim Izik uprising.
•The French Government's trade deals with Morocco impact the Sahrawi situation.
Perfect For
Human rights activismNorth African politicsIndigenous rights