Dead Donkeys Fear No Hyenas 2017

Overview

Dead Donkeys Fear No Hyenas is a 2017 Swedish-Ethiopian documentary thriller directed by Joakim Demmer. The film examines the consequences of land grabbing in Ethiopia, where the government has leased millions of hectares of farmland to foreign investors in hopes of generating export revenues. While this initiative is framed as a pursuit of green gold and prosperity, the documentary explores the darker implications of these policies. The narrative investigates the impact of these land deals on the lives of local farmers who have been evicted and deprived of their livelihoods. Throughout the film, the director pursues the truth by engaging with a variety of perspectives, including those of struggling environmentalists, persecuted journalists, development bureaucrats, and the investors involved. The production also examines the questionable role played by the World Bank in these developments. Produced by Margarete Jangård, Heino Deckert, and John Webster, the documentary features contributions from individuals such as Alexander Karim, Mohammed Alamoudi, Ivan Holmes, and Argaw Ashine. The film has a runtime of approximately 83 to 90 minutes.