Class Journal - Comments

Damien Setlich comments on Reflecting on "The Devil Came on Horseback"

Damien Setlich — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 18:31:34 +0000

It is surprising that I didn't break down and cry during the parts of the film where people were crying. It is surprising that I didn't get sick and depressed as I should have after seeing people dead bodies lie on the ground in twisted and gruesome positions surrounded by body wounds and pools of blood. The most surprising thing I found out when I watched the film was that I was most upset and depressed when the stick-thin man talked about how he knew what was happening and what had happened. The man was the most influential figure in the movie all because he stated an opinion that the government knew what was happening to the people of the country and yet continued to watch it happen. He mentioned that America and others countries were so nice to help; however, little did he now that we could do so much more to actually help. I guess I believed that he was the most influential person in the film because he didn't just state facts about what had happened, but he stated his opinion about how the world was corrupt in not helping him. The people believed in a god that would not save them.

Katie Johnson comments on Reflecting on "The Devil Came on Horseback"

Katie Johnson — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 18:28:19 +0000

From the documentary, I gained a greater sense of how bad things really are. I think I liked this documentary more than some other ones that we have watched in class, and that I have watched on my own time, because Brian made sure that the film gave the viewer a good sense of what was really going on. The film made me realize that if all people do is protest things, but never actually try to stop them, then nothing is really going to change. People need to stand up for the things that they believe in by actually doing things to help, not only talking about them. The documentary portrayed the horrors, the sadness, and the suffering that is going on in a way that made me want to do something to help.

Naomi comments on Reflecting on "The Devil Came on Horseback"

Naomi — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 18:27:00 +0000

After seeing this documentary, I was overwhelmed by this marine's openness to sharing his story and making aware the conflict in Sudan. Through listening to his story I gained a greater understanding and awareness of the situation over seas. I was shocked by the gruesome and violent pictures and was quickly more understanding. What was most appalling about the conflict to me is the fact that there was very little response by the US government despite all the obvious evidence of genocide. The fact that it took so long to even call the conflict genocide frustrated me. I was severely disappointed.

Kyle Zeis comments on Reflecting on "The Devil Came on Horseback"

Kyle Zeis — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 18:22:40 +0000

I have heard before that the country of Sudan has had conflicts that have lasted for decades and there has been many deaths of their own citizens, but I couldn't believe that their own government would do something like that. However, this movie was able to show many pictures and proof to show what was actually going on in Sudan. This movie had a great impact on my. It made me realize what the Sudanese people had to go through everyday, and that their own government was doing this to them and letting this happen. It's hard to think about how we live our lives with ease while others are loosing their family members constantly and have to leave their homes in order to live.

Jake comments on Reflecting on "The Devil Came on Horseback"

Jake — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 18:06:36 +0000

What I found probably the most shocking was the lack of response by the UN and United States. I agreed with the Captain's statement when he said that if America had seen what he'd seen, troops would be in Sudan in a matter of days. I was disappointed, just like he was, to learn that we did nothing and still have not responded. I hope to see Sudan come up in the race for the presidency, and whichever candidate that gets elected to do something about the issue.

Ashaki Hall comments on Reflecting on "The Devil Came on Horseback"

Ashaki Hall — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 11:51:13 +0000

I found this documentary extremely intriguing and insightful. Not only did it state facts about the situation going on in Sudan, but it also gave insights, opinions, viewpoint, and voices to the many people who live there. What caught my attention was the response from the U.S. It surprised me that it took so much “time” and “effort” to determine the situation there was genocide. I was also surprised by the White House’s decision to “shoo away” Brian; sure he got praise for providing information, but there still was no mention of U.S. aid. This situation is interesting to me especially, because a couple of months ago, U.S. troops and services happily went into Georgia to replace troops and provide aid. Another thing that caught my attention were the still photos. Frame after frame, I would see people brutally murdered, and huts and villages vanished. This documentary used audio and visual aspects to really evoke feelings of sadness and guilt. This movie was definitely a call to my conscience, and I hope more Americans, and citizens of the world, continue to view this documentary.

Ashley Engler comments on Reflecting on "The Devil Came on Horseback"

Ashley Engler — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 02:51:07 +0000

I'm really over whelmed by how much this former Marine was willing to share and talk about his experiences I can't imagine what he went through and how he still thinks he doesn't fully understand what they are truly going through. On another note, I thought this documentry was very well put together and kept its audience intrested by using sound effects, news clips, and pictures.

Peter Kalinowski comments on Reflecting on "The Devil Came on Horseback"

Peter Kalinowski — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 02:44:05 +0000

The Came on Horseback was a very moving documentary. What the documentary did best was that at the start of the documentary i was sitting there thinking to myself that i really do no understand what is going on in Darfur right now. I mean I know whats happening and people have explained it to me but its never been put very simply, this is what is happening and why. The documentary gave the "elevator speech" if you had to give a speech in the time it takes to ride an elevator about what is happening in Sudan, that is what the documentary did. I now fully understand what exactly is going on in Darfur better than ever before. This movie made a enormous impact on me and made me see another view about what is happening and a need to help the people who are caught in this genocide.

Nada Al - Sharif comments on Reflecting on "The Devil Came on Horseback"

Nada Al - Sharif — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 02:18:35 +0000

From the documentary I learned that not anyone believes in the reality of the situation presented, such as the man from Sudan who attended one of Bryan’s appearances. Although he had images and video footages to prove his point , not everyone believed him. Like Ryan mentioned about not knowing how bad the situation was until he viewed the documentary, this documentary can be a reality check for those who don’t believe that there is a lot of murdering going on , or to those who think the situation isn’t that bad in Darfur. The thing that I didn’t like from what I heard is the Sudanese governments refusal to allow UN troops to enter. Rather than help their country in advancement, they were refusing help, and I also didn’t like the fact that although the UN was aware of this problem , it didn’t just barge into the country to try to end the internal conflicts. I liked the fact that Bryan had a lot of pictures, take by himself , as proof , and also that he had footages , which he could use to spread the word on the situation in Darfur.

Justin Giles comments on Reflecting on "The Devil Came on Horseback"

Justin Giles — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 02:05:01 +0000

The power that this documentary presents through its images, plot, and personal connection is immeasurable. Brian first identified himself as a solider who had attained many battle scars, yet he was undoubtedly stricken with grief by the end of the film because of his inability to help. This type of personal connection along with the fact that he gained publicity and became active in the fight for Sudan makes me doubt the effectiveness of our classes' documentaries; for even he admits that his influence seem ineffective. My greatest frustration, however, is wondering how we will sufficiently provide information that will engage the audience to act. It cannot be something that merely evokes emotion (for emotion can easily fade in those not directly affected), but instills something that they cannot ignore. Through this I hope that the people's voice will become so intolerable that it will force the government to push towards an active, positive, AND successful rescue of Sudan.