The Devil Came on Horseback

About the Project

The Devil Came on Horseback is a documentary film that exposes the violence and tragedy of the genocide in Darfur, Sudan as seen through the eye's of a lone American witness. Using thousands of uncompromising and exclusive photographs taken by former US Marine Captain Brian Steidle during his role as a military observer with the African Union, The Devil Came on Horseback leads you through reasons behind and the tragic impact of a government bent on destroying its own citizens.

As an official military observer, Steidle had access to parts of Sudan that no journalist could penetrate. He was unprepared for what he would witness and experience, including being fired upon, taken hostage, and being unable to intervene to save the lives of young children. Ultimately frustrated by the inaction of the international community, Steidle resigned and returned to the US to expose the images and stories of lives systematically destroyed. Haunted by what he has seen and the backlash against his advocacy efforts, Brian traveled to the refugee camps of Chad to reconnect with survivors of the violence he witnessed.

This compelling film bears witness to unmentionable atrocities, celebrates the courage of a refugee community desperately trying to survive, while posing the question: Why has the West not taken more urgent action to stop genocide this time?

The Fledgling Fund Impact

We believe that this is a powerful film that not only raises awareness about the conditions in Darfur but also demonstrates how one person can speak out. The Fledgling Fund is pleased to have provided $25,000 in finishing funds and another $25,000 to support an outreach and audience engagement campaign. We believe that the film is a vehicle for public dialogue and moves people to action on a critical human rights issue.