Browse Films

Late in the 20th century, in response to repeated mass atrocities around the world, more than 120 countries united to form the International Criminal Court (ICC)the first permanent court created to prosecute perpetrators (no matter how powerful) of crimes against humanity, war crimes, and genocide. The Reckoning follows dynamic ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo and his team for 3 years across 4 continents as he issues arrest warrants for Lords Resistance Army leaders in Uganda, puts Congolese warlords on trial, shakes up the Colombian justice system, and charges Sudans President Omar al-Bashir with genocide in Darfur, challenging the UN Security Council to arrest him. Building cases against genocidal criminals presents huge challenges, and the Prosecutor has a mandate but no police force. At every turn, he must pressure the international community to muster political will for the cause. Like a deft thriller, The Reckoning keeps you on the edge of your seat, in this case with two riveting dramasthe prosecution of unspeakable crimes and the ICCs fight for efficacy in its nascent years. As this tiny court in The Hague struggles to change the world and forge a new paradigm for justice, innocent victims suffer and wait. Will the Prosecutor succeed? Will the world ensure that justice prevails?

Focuses on the drive to establish the International Criminal Court to handle genocidal crimes, while also passionately presenting evidence to support the need for such a court, as well as proof of the ongoing difficulties in securing international backing.
Frank Swietek, Associate Professor of History, University of Dallas)
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AWARDS & SCREENINGS:

• Official Selection Sundance 09 Film Festival - U.S. Documentary Competition

• Latin American Studies Association (LASA) Award of Merit In Film 2010
  

• Winner Best Documentary, Politics on Film Festival 2009, Washington DC

• Opening Night Film, Human Rights Watch International Film Festival 2009, New York

• Council on Foundations Henry Hampton Award of Excellence in Film and Media 2010
  

Resource Web Sites

A range of online study resources for The Reckoning are available on the POV website.

International Justice Central - IJCentral

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