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March 1, 2011

Torture survivors seek apology | VIDEO

Jemma Gander has spent the last year and a half filming The Last Battle with four Kenyan claimants who are petitioning the British Government for torture they experienced in colonial Kenya during the ‘Emergency’ 1952-1960.

Help Jemma finish this film — even $5 helps!

About the filmmaker.

Based in London, UK, Jemma has a keen interest in social issue documentary making; she loves nothing more than traveling to new places and meeting new people with her camera.

Jemma has made two short films in West Africa in the past which have received critical acclaim at International festivals but The Last Battle is her first venture into making a feature length film.

Jemma freelances as an Assistant Producer for major broadcasters such as Channel 4, BBC and Sky One.

What motivated you to make this film?
I read about the case in a magazine back in 2009 and was touched by the stories of the then five claimants told of the abuse they experienced at the hands of my forefathers. I felt compelled to tell their story when they were being silenced by the rest of the world.
What do you hope to accomplish with this film?
I would love for the film to be broadcast as it would reach a wider and more diverse audience. The purpose of the film is to give a platform for these elderly men and women to tell their story before it’s too late, whether this is at festivals, on TV or specially organized screenings.
Do you have any other projects on the horizon?
Currently this is my only project as I work on it with only one other person (who has been fantastic!) and thus I don’t have much spare time. I will definitely be working on another project once I have done all I can with this one though. I work as a Freelance Assistant Producer in TV which keeps me busy–if not always employed and never wealthy!

More about The Last Battle.

Jemma’s goal is to create a feature length documentary that offers a platform for the story to be told and for the elderly Kenyan’s to be heard after years of being silenced by their government and hers. She’s been working with a small team as Director, Editor and Producer–all working for free. They have cut a fine cut of the film of the case so far. Jemma hopes to film the April 2011 hearing at The Royal Courts of Justice and get the documentary onto the festival circuit and, hopefully, broadcast.

The case is not without it’s surrounding debates and disagreements with some claiming the alleged torture did not take place in the detention camps as is claimed by the four elderly Mau Mau test claimants from Kenya. Both sides of the story are apparent within the film so far. Jemma has, however, heard the testimonies: many American, English and international historians, scholars and legal experts have proved that torture did take place.

The film aims to tell the claimants story, those who disagree and to show a fair and balanced portrayal of what happened in Kenya in the 1950s.

How you can help.

  1. Pledge just $15 and receive a credit at the end of the film. Go to kickstarter.com.
  2. “LIKE” The Last Battle’s facebook page.
  3. Share this on your facebook page.
  4. Follow The Last Battle on twitter.
  5. Tweet about this article. Sample tweet:

Torture survivors seek apology | VIDEO http://ow.ly/45AGf @LastBattleDoc #elej

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