The Reckoning: The Battle for the International Criminal Court takes an inside look at the workings of this huge leglislative behemoth, supported and doubted in equal measure by a parade of global bystanders, many of its strongest critics standing in the very shadows of its imposing courtrooms.
The film has been nominated as a finalist for the prestigious PUMA Creative Impact Award, which recognises documentary-making for its global social impact.
Directed by Pamela Yates and produced by Paco de Onis, it follows Argentinian International Criminal Court Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo as he takes on the role of David facing down a series of Goliaths: warlords, genocidal dictators, the confusion on foreign faces when he jets in to explain the value of his legal machinations, even the unlimited bureaucracy and confusion in his own corridors of so-called power - all in his tireless mission to bring perpetrators of crimes against humanity to justice, and help bring peace and resolution to zones of conflict across the globe.
The Reckoning follows the dynamic ICC Prosecutor and his team for 3 years across 4 continents as he issues arrest warrants for Lord’s Resistance Army leaders in Uganda, puts Congolese warlords on trial, shakes up the Colombian justice system, and charges Sudan’s 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.
This is the second in a quartet of films about transitional justice by American director Yates, all designed to educate and incite social change.
The Reckoning has been broadcast extensively to promote awareness of the work done by the International Criminal Court, with free distribution to NGOs in nearly 80 countries and use in workshops across the globe. The film has been widely seen in Africa, triggering an investigation into post-election violence in Kenya.
WATCH:
The Battle for the International Criminal Court is one of the five finalists for the PUMA Creative Impact Award, which recognises the social impact of documentary-making. The winner will be announced in London on 11 October 2011. The Huffington Post UK is the editorial partner of this Award, and will be reporting from the event with news of the international judges and their final decision on a winner.