How to Steal a Country Review

‘How to steal a country’, a very sparking and significant title to a documentary directed by Rehad Desai and co-directed by Mark Kaplan which immediately attracts the attention of citizens. When one sees the title, it can only mean exposure, there is already so much depth to the documentary before it has even started. This documentary was created from the perspective of the journalists- investigative journalists. The documentary is based on the view of investigative journalists who ensure to give out information that is objective on current ongoing events, the documentary includes the watchdogs, the watchdogs have an objective which is to act as keepers of public- to protect the public. This documentary was made for the public, for the citizens of the country to be aware of what was happening in their own country.

It is through the journalists that we are able to see the significance of the documentary. The documentary highlights the exposure of the countries corruption. The documentary focuses on the Gupta family and it association with the Former President Jacob Zuma. The documentary goes onto mention and address how the Former President Jacob Zuma was not in control of the country but it was the Guptas. This documentary exposes the leadership of Former President Jacob Zuma and the rapid changes which happened in his cabinet, such as different Ministers coming in and out. The documentary further goes onto expose the state capture, for people to witness how finances were run in the country and how other parties were involved in running the country.

This documentary by Rehad Desai and Mark Kaplan is set in an interactive mode. We are able to view this by being able to engage with individuals directly at the same time while not going back to the exposition styles. In the interactive mode, the interventionist tactics and also the interview styles were implemented which then paved for the filmmaker to be able to be present during the events. The audience in the interactive documentary are spoken to directly. We get exposed to different journalists telling their side of the stories, former ministers and other witnesses. Since we have the presence of the filmmaker and the social actors being felt and at the centre, the viewer is put in a position to gather all information which is being presented, in this case it would be the evidence which is being issued by the journalists. The interaction included the formal interviews or even informal interviews which are not structured.

The documentary gives us a great insight of how we see the government versus what actually happens within the government. It is through the documentary that we see the reasons for sociological problems and economic problems that we face as a country. The documentary painted such a detailed content piece of work, very resourceful and came with reliable sources which makes the documentary very valuable.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxt9eHWktm0

This documentary has made me feel as though I have been blind sighted all my life. It has sparked emotions of surprise and curiosity. It has given the viewer feelings of wanting to know more about what is the unknown. This documentary has unknowingly produced more future investigative journalists. There is so much that goes on in the political economy, journalists have made it a point for the public to know what is happening around them.