Indian TV journalist Ritu Bhardawaj goes to Bihar to investigate the invisible…
Life 8 - The Elephants' Dream of Peace
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- Citation
- Cataloging
- Transcript
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As the 2010 World Cup played out in South Africa, the Life series turned the camera on two other top African soccer stars: Didier Drogba, Chelsea striker and captain of the Ivory Coast team, and his teammate on both teams, Salomon Kalou. The Elephants are competing in South Africa wearing their distinctive orange uniforms, but on the other side of the continent, Ivorians are wearing orange to show their commitment to peace, tolerance and unity - and in homage to the role Drogba played in 2005 when he and his team helped stop the civil war that threatened to split the country in two. The Elephants' Dream of Peace tells the story of Drogba and the Elephants' 2005 peace mission.
'There is a continuous challenge of trying to strike a balance in the film[s]...[The films] can be used successfully in stimulating a discussion amongst the youth about the negative aspects of such a life as well as an exploration of alternatives.' Teboho Moja, Clinical Professor of Higher Education, New York University
Citation
Main credits
De Haas, Joost (Director)
Hurkxkens, Thomas (Director)
Hurkxkens, Thomas (Cinematographer)
Bradshaw, Steve (Narrator)
Verwer, Stefan (Producer)
Other credits
Music, Audio Network; fixer/translator, Selay Marius Kouassi; camera, Thomas Hurkxkens; editor, Erik van de Belt.
Distributor subjects
African Studies; Anthropology; Citizenship and Civics; Conflict Resolution; Geography; Political Science; Social Psychology; Sociology; War and PeaceKeywords
WEBVTT
00:00:02.000 --> 00:00:04.050
Bradshaw: At last,
the World Cup comes to Africa.
00:00:04.434 --> 00:00:06.000
Now, already we\'ve seen
one soccer star,
00:00:06.033 --> 00:00:07.434
Liberia\'s George Weah,
00:00:07.467 --> 00:00:09.234
running for president.
00:00:09.267 --> 00:00:12.367
But there\'s another way of using
your fame in the streets:
00:00:12.400 --> 00:00:17.133
the World Cup star
as political referee.
00:00:17.167 --> 00:00:41.133
[dramatic music]
00:00:48.167 --> 00:00:51.734
We\'ve come to the Swiss Alps
to watch the Elephants arrive-
00:00:51.767 --> 00:00:56.067
not Hannibal\'s, but the Ivory
Coast national football team.
00:00:56.100 --> 00:00:59.067
They\'re here to train at
altitude for the World Cup-
00:00:59.100 --> 00:01:00.934
an African nation
with a decent chance
00:01:00.968 --> 00:01:04.467
of winning the first World Cup
to be played in Africa.
00:01:04.501 --> 00:01:08.567
There\'s Chelsea star,
the modest Salomon Kalou.
00:01:08.601 --> 00:01:12.334
And here\'s the captain
of the Elephants, Didier Drogba;
00:01:12.367 --> 00:01:15.067
a brilliant opportunist striker.
00:01:20.734 --> 00:01:22.734
Willing to sign autographs
00:01:22.767 --> 00:01:28.701
but often avoiding the camera.
00:01:28.734 --> 00:01:32.367
They\'re normally
a laid-back bunch.
00:01:32.400 --> 00:01:34.534
politics-
they\'d like you to think-
00:01:34.567 --> 00:01:38.868
usually the last thing
on their minds.
00:01:38.901 --> 00:01:40.033
- [speaking French]
00:01:40.067 --> 00:01:41.334
- Football is our passion,
00:01:41.367 --> 00:01:43.167
and it\'s through football
we give our message
00:01:43.200 --> 00:01:45.133
to all the Ivorian people.
00:01:45.167 --> 00:01:47.634
The politicians talk about
politics,
00:01:47.667 --> 00:01:50.701
but we play football.
00:01:50.734 --> 00:01:52.501
Bradshaw:
But as many great defenders
00:01:52.534 --> 00:01:54.133
have discovered the hard way,
00:01:54.167 --> 00:01:57.601
Salomon Kalou and Didier
Drogba\'s languid appearance
00:01:57.634 --> 00:01:59.834
can be deceptive.
00:01:59.868 --> 00:02:02.501
For there is another side
to the Elephants,
00:02:02.534 --> 00:02:05.000
the team that has tried
to bring peace
00:02:05.033 --> 00:02:09.000
to a nation on the edge of war.
00:02:21.000 --> 00:02:22.834
He\'s up in the air-
00:02:22.868 --> 00:02:25.467
Didier Drogba,
the Elephants\' star.
00:02:25.501 --> 00:02:29.300
Down in the streets, they\'re
doing a dance named after him.
00:02:29.334 --> 00:02:32.000
- Drogba, Drogba, Drogba,
Drogba!
00:02:32.033 --> 00:02:35.400
Bradshaw:
It\'s called the Drogbacite.
00:02:35.434 --> 00:02:37.033
You dribble. You head.
00:02:37.067 --> 00:02:40.133
You dance like Didier...
00:02:40.167 --> 00:02:47.033
almost the national dance.
00:02:47.067 --> 00:02:49.300
Every weekend,
bars in Ivory Coast
00:02:49.334 --> 00:02:51.567
are packed with football fans,
00:02:51.601 --> 00:02:53.234
shrines to the Elephants
00:02:53.267 --> 00:02:56.501
and their English-based striker.
00:02:56.534 --> 00:02:58.434
- Drogba, I love you!
00:02:58.467 --> 00:03:01.133
Drogba, I love you!
00:03:01.167 --> 00:03:02.434
I love you!
00:03:02.467 --> 00:03:06.567
- It is the spirit of our team,
00:03:06.601 --> 00:03:08.234
to share the same life,
00:03:08.267 --> 00:03:11.067
to wear the colors of Ivory Coast,
00:03:11.100 --> 00:03:16.167
and to give joy to everybody
in the country.
00:03:16.200 --> 00:03:18.467
Because the population
identifies
00:03:18.501 --> 00:03:21.868
with the national team,
00:03:21.901 --> 00:03:24.667
the players are playing
in different clubs
00:03:24.701 --> 00:03:29.100
and they come from different
parts of Ivory Coast.
00:03:29.133 --> 00:03:32.667
When you play in our
national team colors,
00:03:32.701 --> 00:03:34.934
we become one,
00:03:34.968 --> 00:03:42.434
and we want to give that
to the Ivorian people.
00:03:42.467 --> 00:03:45.167
Bradshaw: But behind the
celebrations of the stars,
00:03:45.200 --> 00:03:46.901
this is a country recovering
00:03:46.934 --> 00:03:49.667
from unexpected and violent
turmoil,
00:03:49.701 --> 00:03:52.200
civil conflict
that\'s impeded progress
00:03:52.234 --> 00:03:55.501
towards the eradication
of poverty.
00:03:55.534 --> 00:03:58.100
Disputed elections
in the year 2000
00:03:58.133 --> 00:04:00.067
led to an armed rebellion
00:04:00.100 --> 00:04:03.334
in the north of this previously
stable country.
00:04:03.367 --> 00:04:07.734
In in the ensuing north-south
conflict, thousands died-
00:04:07.767 --> 00:04:12.667
allegations of random killings
on both sides.
00:04:15.133 --> 00:04:17.667
Victims
of one notorious massacre
00:04:17.701 --> 00:04:21.033
are buried in the biggest city,
Abidjan.
00:04:21.067 --> 00:04:26.367
Government gendarmes
were tried but acquitted.
00:04:26.400 --> 00:04:27.601
- [speaking French]
00:04:27.634 --> 00:04:29.901
- We are here
at the Square of Martyrs.
00:04:29.934 --> 00:04:35.200
Here, victims of Charnier de
Yopougon of 2000 were buried.
00:04:35.234 --> 00:04:37.767
We are here among our friends.
00:04:37.801 --> 00:04:40.501
57 people were buried here.
00:04:40.534 --> 00:04:44.567
They are spread over the
outskirt of Yopougon district.
00:04:44.601 --> 00:04:51.100
This is what we call
the Charnier de Yopougon.
00:04:51.133 --> 00:04:52.467
Bradshaw:
In the next five years,
00:04:52.501 --> 00:04:54.634
many more died or were injured.
00:04:54.667 --> 00:04:56.300
The worst violence flared out,
00:04:56.334 --> 00:04:59.467
but the country still seemed
on the edge of civil war
00:04:59.501 --> 00:05:06.534
when one group of men made
a passionate plea live on TV.
00:05:06.567 --> 00:05:07.701
- [speaking French]
00:05:07.734 --> 00:05:09.834
- Ivorians from the north
and the south,
00:05:09.868 --> 00:05:12.000
the center to the west,
00:05:12.033 --> 00:05:15.167
we all have seen and we have
proved to you
00:05:15.200 --> 00:05:19.901
that all of Ivory Coast can live
together with the same goal:
00:05:19.934 --> 00:05:22.267
to qualify for the World Cup.
00:05:22.300 --> 00:05:24.534
You have promised
that this celebration
00:05:24.567 --> 00:05:26.467
will reunify the people.
00:05:26.501 --> 00:05:31.000
So today we ask you
and we will go on our knees,
00:05:31.033 --> 00:05:35.167
please...
00:05:35.200 --> 00:05:37.634
forgive.
00:05:37.667 --> 00:05:40.067
Forgive.
00:05:40.100 --> 00:05:42.901
Forgive.
00:05:42.934 --> 00:05:45.267
The only country in Africa
00:05:45.300 --> 00:05:47.767
which has all these riches
00:05:47.801 --> 00:05:51.534
cannot slip away into a war
just like that.
00:05:51.567 --> 00:05:53.801
Please lay down your weapons,
00:05:53.834 --> 00:05:55.767
organize elections,
00:05:55.801 --> 00:05:57.801
and everything will be better.
00:05:57.834 --> 00:06:01.100
We want to have fun.
00:06:01.133 --> 00:06:04.133
Bradshaw: Fun because the
Elephants had, minutes before,
00:06:04.167 --> 00:06:07.934
qualified for the 2006
World Cup.
00:06:07.968 --> 00:06:11.434
They were not trying to be
political players, but referees,
00:06:11.467 --> 00:06:17.801
urging all their countrymen
to play by the rules.
00:06:17.834 --> 00:06:20.601
- I think that all
Ivorian people
00:06:20.634 --> 00:06:22.434
want peace in Ivory Coast.
00:06:22.467 --> 00:06:25.534
When you engage in war,
there are no winners;
00:06:25.567 --> 00:06:28.534
everybody loses.
00:06:28.567 --> 00:06:32.667
It has no matter
how strong each party is.
00:06:32.701 --> 00:06:39.567
If it will be a war,
nobody wins.
00:06:39.601 --> 00:06:41.367
Bradshaw:
As with many other conflicts,
00:06:41.400 --> 00:06:43.701
Ivory Coast\'s troubles
have their origin
00:06:43.734 --> 00:06:45.534
not only in the streets,
00:06:45.567 --> 00:06:47.934
but in the world of ideas.
00:06:47.968 --> 00:06:50.234
In Ivory Coast,
people can often tell
00:06:50.267 --> 00:06:53.901
whether you come from the north
or south from your name.
00:06:53.934 --> 00:06:56.100
So even asking this
street typist
00:06:56.133 --> 00:07:00.434
for an unofficial ID card
may show where you come from.
00:07:00.467 --> 00:07:03.000
And a philosophy
called Ivoirité
00:07:03.033 --> 00:07:06.400
claims some northerners
aren\'t true Ivorians
00:07:06.434 --> 00:07:09.234
and don\'t have Ivorian rights.
00:07:09.267 --> 00:07:10.400
- [speaking French]
00:07:10.434 --> 00:07:12.501
- It has been used
in a political context,
00:07:12.534 --> 00:07:15.834
so it is a concept
that you reuse;
00:07:15.868 --> 00:07:18.534
it\'s a concept
that has been implemented
00:07:18.567 --> 00:07:20.300
for a political project.
00:07:20.334 --> 00:07:23.968
It is legitimized
by scientific publications
00:07:24.000 --> 00:07:29.567
and promoted by some scientists,
historians, anthropologists,
00:07:29.601 --> 00:07:34.067
philosophers,
and also by journalists.
00:07:34.100 --> 00:07:40.133
We who did not react through
fear, prudence, or cowardice,
00:07:40.167 --> 00:07:42.400
we are also responsible.
00:07:42.434 --> 00:07:44.100
Isn\'t that true?
00:07:44.133 --> 00:07:48.567
Because we did not intervene
when the people were in danger
00:07:48.601 --> 00:07:51.100
because we know
what the outcome is
00:07:51.133 --> 00:07:57.501
of this discourse
for the people.
00:07:57.534 --> 00:07:59.334
Bradshaw: With the country
still threatening
00:07:59.367 --> 00:08:01.100
to slide into civil war,
00:08:01.133 --> 00:08:02.801
Didier Drogba and the Elephants
00:08:02.834 --> 00:08:05.133
seemed like
one of the few things
00:08:05.167 --> 00:08:07.534
keeping Ivory Coast together.
00:08:07.567 --> 00:08:10.100
With Abidjan in the south
still divided
00:08:10.133 --> 00:08:11.834
from the north by roadblocks,
00:08:11.868 --> 00:08:15.467
economic life
was coming to a standstill.
00:08:15.501 --> 00:08:19.934
Didier and the Elephants
stood for hope and renewal.
00:08:19.968 --> 00:08:21.133
- [speaking French]
00:08:21.167 --> 00:08:24.033
- It gave a good lesson
to the politicians.
00:08:24.067 --> 00:08:27.234
I think politicians should
follow the example
00:08:27.267 --> 00:08:29.801
of the national team.
00:08:29.834 --> 00:08:33.234
We have so much potential
in football.
00:08:33.267 --> 00:08:38.501
Didier Drogba, Yaya Touré,
Kolo Touré, Aruna Dindane,
00:08:38.534 --> 00:08:41.167
Maestro and others.
00:08:41.200 --> 00:08:43.133
Also on the economic side,
00:08:43.167 --> 00:08:45.467
we have a lot of potential.
00:08:45.501 --> 00:08:49.334
We have timber, palm oil,
the sea, and oil.
00:08:49.367 --> 00:08:51.601
Our soul is rich.
00:08:51.634 --> 00:08:53.067
I can\'t understand
00:08:53.100 --> 00:08:57.133
why Côte d\'Ivoire
is still in trouble.
00:08:57.167 --> 00:08:59.133
Bradshaw: In the shops,
the Elephant strip
00:08:59.167 --> 00:09:03.100
stood for geographic and ethnic
unity.
00:09:03.133 --> 00:09:05.200
But how to dramatize that,
00:09:05.234 --> 00:09:08.267
bring it home to the fans
and everyone else?
00:09:08.300 --> 00:09:11.667
Here\'s where Didier\'s talents
as a striker helped:
00:09:11.701 --> 00:09:13.767
opportunism,
seizing the chance,
00:09:13.801 --> 00:09:18.868
a gift for the theatrical.
00:09:18.901 --> 00:09:20.801
- A leader.
00:09:20.834 --> 00:09:22.434
He\'s a leader.
00:09:22.467 --> 00:09:26.300
If I have to define him
in one single word,
00:09:26.334 --> 00:09:30.300
Didier is a natural leader.
00:09:30.334 --> 00:09:32.467
Every time we tease him
00:09:32.501 --> 00:09:36.934
with the fact that maybe he can
become a politician,
00:09:36.968 --> 00:09:40.667
it comes naturally
and it is in him.
00:09:40.701 --> 00:09:43.267
He has the character
of directing.
00:09:43.300 --> 00:09:47.801
If you have that, it\'s something
that comes spontaneously.
00:09:47.834 --> 00:09:51.501
It comes when you have to take
decisions,
00:09:51.534 --> 00:09:53.334
when you have to intervene.
00:09:53.367 --> 00:09:55.601
It come naturally.
00:09:55.634 --> 00:10:00.501
And Didier, every decision
he has taken was spontaneous.
00:10:00.534 --> 00:10:03.367
It was not calculated;
00:10:03.400 --> 00:10:08.167
it\'s completely natural.
00:10:08.200 --> 00:10:11.200
Bradshaw: To discover more about
Didier Drogba\'s gift
00:10:11.234 --> 00:10:12.400
for seizing the moment,
00:10:12.434 --> 00:10:16.934
we drove to Bouaké in the north
of Ivory Coast.
00:10:16.968 --> 00:10:20.033
In the recent past, it\'s been
a more difficult journey to make
00:10:20.067 --> 00:10:23.734
with roadblocks and
U.N. peacekeepers in the way.
00:10:23.767 --> 00:10:25.133
The north is largely Muslim
00:10:25.167 --> 00:10:26.501
and with many immigrants
00:10:26.534 --> 00:10:29.234
from neighboring Burkina Faso
and Mali.
00:10:29.267 --> 00:10:33.434
They have economic power and
now want political power too,
00:10:33.467 --> 00:10:36.767
an ambition sometimes resented
in the south.
00:10:39.534 --> 00:10:44.801
Back in 2006, Bouaké was waiting
for a historic moment-
00:10:44.834 --> 00:10:48.868
none more eagerly
than the Elephants\' fan club.
00:10:48.901 --> 00:10:50.033
- [speaking French]
00:10:50.067 --> 00:10:51.801
- The night before,
we made T-shirts
00:10:51.834 --> 00:10:54.067
with Didier Drogba on them,
00:10:54.100 --> 00:10:57.400
and his title
as \"best African player.\"
00:10:57.434 --> 00:11:00.300
We made bracelets, flags.
00:11:00.334 --> 00:11:02.133
And with the T-shirts,
00:11:02.167 --> 00:11:05.133
they sold like hotcakes.
00:11:05.167 --> 00:11:06.567
Bradshaw:
Patrolled by soldiers
00:11:06.601 --> 00:11:08.434
from the recently
rebellious north,
00:11:08.467 --> 00:11:11.434
crowds gathered perilously
at the airport
00:11:11.467 --> 00:11:16.968
as Drogba\'s plane arrived.
00:11:17.000 --> 00:11:18.667
- It was difficult for the plane
to land
00:11:18.701 --> 00:11:20.901
because people were in danger
00:11:20.934 --> 00:11:24.501
of spilling onto
the landing strip.
00:11:24.534 --> 00:11:28.434
The security tried to make sure
the crowd was calm
00:11:28.467 --> 00:11:32.834
so the plane can land safely.
00:11:32.868 --> 00:11:37.200
When Didier landed,
everybody wanted to see him.
00:11:37.234 --> 00:11:40.167
At a certain time,
we even wondered
00:11:40.200 --> 00:11:45.367
how Didier could get
to the stadium.
00:11:45.400 --> 00:11:48.501
Bradshaw: In 2006,
the north was almost cut off,
00:11:48.534 --> 00:11:51.234
visitors from the south
of any kind a rarity.
00:11:51.267 --> 00:11:55.501
Now here came the hero
of the south and of the north.
00:11:55.534 --> 00:11:58.567
Didier Drogba had flown here
not for a match,
00:11:58.601 --> 00:12:03.567
but to make a dramatic gesture
to the north and its people.
00:12:03.601 --> 00:12:07.267
- People young and old
bought the T-shirts.
00:12:07.300 --> 00:12:10.467
Even kids
who have never seen him
00:12:10.501 --> 00:12:14.968
and hardly could have dreamed
of buying this stuff,
00:12:15.000 --> 00:12:18.167
they still bought it
despite the poverty.
00:12:18.200 --> 00:12:20.667
It was a great atmosphere.
00:12:20.701 --> 00:12:24.868
Everyone wanted to take
this chance and meet Drogba.
00:12:24.901 --> 00:12:28.501
The emotion
was really inexplicable.
00:12:28.534 --> 00:12:29.868
Bradshaw:
Didier had won
00:12:29.901 --> 00:12:33.267
the African Footballer
of the Year trophy.
00:12:33.300 --> 00:12:35.200
He was determined to share
his triumph
00:12:35.234 --> 00:12:37.601
with all Ivory Coast.
00:12:37.634 --> 00:12:41.467
He\'d celebrated in Abidjan,
now in Bouaké too.
00:12:41.501 --> 00:12:42.734
Elsewhere in the world,
00:12:42.767 --> 00:12:44.634
touring the whole nation
with your trophy
00:12:44.667 --> 00:12:47.400
would be seen simply
as a footballing gesture.
00:12:47.434 --> 00:12:49.467
But here it was
a dramatic moment
00:12:49.501 --> 00:12:51.200
of national reconciliation,
00:12:51.234 --> 00:12:55.000
a spontaneous strike for peace.
00:12:55.033 --> 00:12:56.434
The leader of the north,
00:12:56.467 --> 00:12:59.200
who later become prime minister
in a power-sharing government,
00:12:59.234 --> 00:13:02.567
was a grateful man.
00:13:02.601 --> 00:13:03.734
- [speaking French]
00:13:03.767 --> 00:13:05.200
- Today I am very happy
00:13:05.234 --> 00:13:09.901
with the visit of Didier Drogba
here in Bouaké
00:13:09.934 --> 00:13:14.834
to show to all Ivorians
that peace is possible
00:13:14.868 --> 00:13:18.968
and that the reconciliation
is a fact.
00:13:19.000 --> 00:13:21.234
[cheers and applause]
00:13:21.267 --> 00:13:27.968
The presence of Didier today
is a real act of reconciliation,
00:13:28.000 --> 00:13:30.501
and the people of Bouaké
00:13:30.534 --> 00:13:34.200
are ready to make peace.
00:13:37.367 --> 00:13:39.000
- [speaking French]
00:13:39.033 --> 00:13:41.567
- Just what I said before,
00:13:41.601 --> 00:13:46.167
that my only regret
is not coming here before.
00:13:46.200 --> 00:13:51.300
When I see all this,
I get goose pimples.
00:13:51.334 --> 00:13:53.434
I\'m moved.
00:13:53.467 --> 00:13:55.234
- [crying]
Drogba.
00:13:55.267 --> 00:13:59.033
[cheers and applause]
00:14:04.667 --> 00:14:07.734
Bradshaw: Remarkably, Drogba
hadn\'t lived in the Ivory Coast
00:14:07.767 --> 00:14:09.901
since he was five.
00:14:09.934 --> 00:14:12.734
His mother sent him
to France for a better life,
00:14:12.767 --> 00:14:16.367
prophetically naming him Tito
after the Yugoslav general
00:14:16.400 --> 00:14:20.367
who kept a fractious nation
united.
00:14:20.400 --> 00:14:22.133
- I\'m a citizen who likes
sharing things
00:14:22.167 --> 00:14:23.868
with his brothers.
00:14:23.901 --> 00:14:26.033
And for the rest,
the politicians are there
00:14:26.067 --> 00:14:27.634
to do their job.
00:14:27.667 --> 00:14:29.968
I\'m just a football player.
00:14:30.000 --> 00:14:32.501
Maybe I can give a little hand
00:14:32.534 --> 00:14:35.033
so that the peace may come back
00:14:35.067 --> 00:14:39.667
and everybody can live together
and get along.
00:14:39.701 --> 00:14:42.634
You have to reach out
like I did today.
00:14:42.667 --> 00:14:44.767
I\'m ready to sacrifice my heart
00:14:44.801 --> 00:14:47.767
to be able to come here
every day.
00:14:47.801 --> 00:14:53.067
- The arrival of Drogba
in Bouaké became a reality.
00:14:53.100 --> 00:14:56.601
We came from a crisis situation.
00:14:56.634 --> 00:14:58.834
Ivory Coast was split in two,
00:14:58.868 --> 00:15:04.467
and we were cut off
from the national team.
00:15:04.501 --> 00:15:06.801
This was our chance,
00:15:06.834 --> 00:15:10.167
and we found new hope
as supporters,
00:15:10.200 --> 00:15:14.267
and we found a new atmosphere
00:15:14.300 --> 00:15:20.033
which took us back
to where there was no war.
00:15:20.067 --> 00:15:23.467
We found each other again
as Ivorians,
00:15:23.501 --> 00:15:27.534
and we became a united country.
00:15:27.567 --> 00:15:30.767
- The only thing that I can say,
00:15:30.801 --> 00:15:34.934
peace is not just a word.
00:15:34.968 --> 00:15:37.868
You cannot just say,
\"Peace is peace.\"
00:15:37.901 --> 00:15:40.200
Peace is behavior.
00:15:40.234 --> 00:15:45.033
Peace is how you act
toward another person.
00:15:45.067 --> 00:15:47.701
That is what peace is about.
00:15:47.734 --> 00:15:50.467
I think if we can live together
00:15:50.501 --> 00:15:53.434
and if we can respect
each other
00:15:53.467 --> 00:15:56.567
and we can have a good life
together,
00:15:56.601 --> 00:16:01.367
I think that that is the beauty
of Ivory Coast.
00:16:01.400 --> 00:16:05.434
That\'s what distinguished us
for such a long time.
00:16:05.467 --> 00:16:09.067
We have this chance to go back
where we came from
00:16:09.100 --> 00:16:11.133
and to spend good time together
00:16:11.167 --> 00:16:15.334
and have this good behavior
which is peace.
00:16:19.167 --> 00:16:21.200
Bradshaw: Today,
things are looking up again
00:16:21.234 --> 00:16:24.133
for the fan club chairman\'s
minicab business.
00:16:24.167 --> 00:16:26.968
The healing process
Drogba\'s visit helped begin
00:16:27.000 --> 00:16:32.367
had a big effect
on everyday lives.
00:16:32.400 --> 00:16:36.367
Didier and the Elephants were
more than just football stars
00:16:36.400 --> 00:16:38.868
for those trying to make
a decent living.
00:16:38.901 --> 00:16:40.567
For truckers in Ivory Coast,
00:16:40.601 --> 00:16:44.200
the conflict had meant trouble
with repairs, roadblocks,
00:16:44.234 --> 00:16:46.400
and bribes.
00:16:46.434 --> 00:16:47.734
No more.
00:16:47.767 --> 00:16:48.901
- [speaking French]
00:16:48.934 --> 00:16:50.467
- Imagine that from here
to Tiebiessou
00:16:50.501 --> 00:16:53.300
you have to go through
20 checkpoints.
00:16:53.334 --> 00:16:57.634
You have to pay
2,500 francs at each checkpoint
00:16:57.667 --> 00:16:59.801
and then how much you have
to pay
00:16:59.834 --> 00:17:02.934
if you drive across
25 checkpoints.
00:17:02.968 --> 00:17:04.667
How much is that?
00:17:04.701 --> 00:17:08.334
But today you can drive
from Abidjan to Tiebiessou
00:17:08.367 --> 00:17:11.000
without paying even 5 francs.
00:17:11.033 --> 00:17:14.000
From a financial
and security perspective,
00:17:14.033 --> 00:17:16.701
it has provided me with a lot.
00:17:16.734 --> 00:17:19.000
Before from Tiebiessou
till here,
00:17:19.033 --> 00:17:22.300
it cost me
50,000 to 60,000 francs,
00:17:22.334 --> 00:17:24.501
and now it costs nothing.
00:17:24.534 --> 00:17:25.934
Thanks to football,
00:17:25.968 --> 00:17:28.667
I\'m very happy
with what Drogba did.
00:17:28.701 --> 00:17:30.334
Bradshaw:
Bringing the country together
00:17:30.367 --> 00:17:32.133
helped the drive
against poverty.
00:17:32.167 --> 00:17:35.801
But while football had helped
unite the people,
00:17:35.834 --> 00:17:37.834
bringing the security forces
together
00:17:37.868 --> 00:17:40.801
was an even tougher challenge.
00:17:40.834 --> 00:17:43.133
Now in this football-crazy
nation,
00:17:43.167 --> 00:17:48.200
another chance for the national
team to seize the moment.
00:17:48.234 --> 00:17:50.334
That chance came
just after Didier
00:17:50.367 --> 00:17:52.067
took his trophy to the north-
00:17:52.100 --> 00:17:54.000
the stage again Bouaké-
00:17:54.033 --> 00:17:58.901
this time,
the football stadium.
00:17:58.934 --> 00:18:00.834
To reunite the military forces,
00:18:00.868 --> 00:18:04.367
Didier and the Elephants
needed a big event...
00:18:06.667 --> 00:18:09.467
So big, it would have to be
protected by soldiers
00:18:09.501 --> 00:18:11.767
from north and south,
00:18:11.801 --> 00:18:17.133
bringing them together again
for the first time in years.
00:18:17.167 --> 00:18:19.133
The Elephants
were playing Madagascar
00:18:19.167 --> 00:18:21.834
in the first national
football match in the north
00:18:21.868 --> 00:18:24.200
since the fighting broke out.
00:18:24.234 --> 00:18:27.734
Buses brought soldiers from
the south and the Elephants.
00:18:27.767 --> 00:18:29.534
- [speaking French]
00:18:29.567 --> 00:18:31.434
- I felt a great joy
00:18:31.467 --> 00:18:34.200
when I heard
the game would be played here,
00:18:34.234 --> 00:18:38.334
because we had never seen
the Elephants play in Bouaké.
00:18:38.367 --> 00:18:45.234
It was such a great pleasure
to host them here.
00:18:45.267 --> 00:18:48.667
We were very happy
that they would arrive here.
00:18:48.701 --> 00:18:52.868
We made ourselves ready
to receive them.
00:18:52.901 --> 00:18:55.100
I was in charge of the security.
00:18:55.133 --> 00:18:58.834
I was very focused on how
I could prevent any blunder
00:18:58.868 --> 00:19:00.767
or security mistakes
00:19:00.801 --> 00:19:02.934
that could disturb or spoil
the event.
00:19:02.968 --> 00:19:05.567
I was not afraid of troops
from the south.
00:19:05.601 --> 00:19:09.033
I was more preoccupied dealing
with the security of the game
00:19:09.067 --> 00:19:11.968
than preoccupied
by their presence here.
00:19:18.834 --> 00:19:21.834
[clapping and horns blowing]
00:19:25.133 --> 00:19:27.467
- It was a long time ago
00:19:27.501 --> 00:19:29.934
since we played a match
with the Elephants.
00:19:29.968 --> 00:19:32.667
The fact that to see
all the stars-
00:19:32.701 --> 00:19:38.100
Drogba, Yaya Touré, Zokora,
Kolo Touré, and all these stars
00:19:38.133 --> 00:19:39.634
who came to Bouaké,
00:19:39.667 --> 00:19:43.100
for them,
it was incomparable.
00:19:43.133 --> 00:19:45.934
The joy the people had
to see us.
00:19:45.968 --> 00:19:48.734
The citizens, the soldiers,
00:19:48.767 --> 00:19:56.501
everybody was really happy
to see us in Bouaké.
00:19:56.534 --> 00:19:57.968
It was a good match.
00:19:58.000 --> 00:20:00.868
I scored the first goal.
00:20:00.901 --> 00:20:03.801
It\'s something
I will never forget.
00:20:03.834 --> 00:20:06.868
It was very important
to play the match.
00:20:06.901 --> 00:20:10.901
- I must say that the first goal
really woke people up.
00:20:10.934 --> 00:20:14.200
Then the following goals,
they were celebrating too,
00:20:14.234 --> 00:20:16.701
but the crowd was not satisfied.
00:20:16.734 --> 00:20:19.567
Everybody was waiting
for Didier Drogba\'s goal.
00:20:19.601 --> 00:20:23.801
We scored four goals,
but the public was impatient.
00:20:23.834 --> 00:20:25.968
When Didier scored
the fifth goal,
00:20:26.000 --> 00:20:28.367
the public felt liberated.
00:20:28.400 --> 00:20:30.234
I can\'t exactly recall,
00:20:30.267 --> 00:20:35.400
but he received a long pass
from the midfield.
00:20:35.434 --> 00:20:38.467
He took the ball
and passed the keeper
00:20:38.501 --> 00:20:40.067
before kicking in
the direction
00:20:40.100 --> 00:20:44.200
of the post on the right.
00:20:46.834 --> 00:20:53.534
[crowd cheering and chanting]
00:20:57.400 --> 00:20:59.467
We celebrated this goal,
00:20:59.501 --> 00:21:02.467
but we, responsible
for the security matters,
00:21:02.501 --> 00:21:06.701
we had to celebrate discretely.
00:21:10.334 --> 00:21:13.501
We congratulated each other
as we usually do
00:21:13.534 --> 00:21:15.834
when a player scores a goal,
00:21:15.868 --> 00:21:17.767
though it was not
a full embrace,
00:21:17.801 --> 00:21:22.767
but we congratulated each other
and said how good it was.
00:21:26.200 --> 00:21:29.234
You know, when the country
is in crisis,
00:21:29.267 --> 00:21:35.434
all means to bring peace
should be supported.
00:21:35.467 --> 00:21:39.534
This game was played
in a good spirit of peace.
00:21:39.567 --> 00:21:45.033
All parties were reunited here.
00:21:45.067 --> 00:21:47.567
Everybody gave his best.
00:21:47.601 --> 00:21:49.133
There were no incidents;
00:21:49.167 --> 00:21:53.234
all the forces were lined up.
00:21:53.267 --> 00:21:55.701
All the people worked hard
and seriously
00:21:55.734 --> 00:22:00.467
in their own tasks and duties.
00:22:00.501 --> 00:22:03.000
Bradshaw: Ivory Coast is still
waiting for the elections
00:22:03.033 --> 00:22:06.834
which Drogba asked for in 2005.
00:22:06.868 --> 00:22:08.968
But the economy
has been recovering,
00:22:09.000 --> 00:22:12.734
and making World Cup T-shirts
is a golden opportunity.
00:22:12.767 --> 00:22:13.968
- [speaking French]
00:22:14.000 --> 00:22:16.033
- We received a lot of orders
for T-shirts-
00:22:16.067 --> 00:22:19.000
about 10,000 until now.
00:22:19.033 --> 00:22:24.467
We hope that it will be more
and more.
00:22:24.501 --> 00:22:27.601
There will be a shortage
when the World Cup starts.
00:22:27.634 --> 00:22:31.534
The people will demand
more T-shirts.
00:22:31.567 --> 00:22:36.234
The people of the Ivory Coast
that live in this region-
00:22:36.267 --> 00:22:39.133
Bouaké, Odienne, Korhogo, Man-
00:22:39.167 --> 00:22:42.634
show their solidarity
with the national team.
00:22:42.667 --> 00:22:46.567
We belong to Ivory Coast.
00:22:50.300 --> 00:22:54.200
- Today Ivorians
want to progress on peace.
00:22:54.234 --> 00:22:57.634
They want to develop,
they want to participate,
00:22:57.667 --> 00:23:01.534
and for most among them,
the youth.
00:23:01.567 --> 00:23:06.434
It should be a republic of hope
for the youth.
00:23:06.467 --> 00:23:10.601
Once they were used
in this crisis,
00:23:10.634 --> 00:23:15.834
and they want to step out of it,
00:23:15.868 --> 00:23:19.834
they are now proud
of the national team,
00:23:19.868 --> 00:23:24.100
proud of Drogba, Keita,
and all these people.
00:23:24.133 --> 00:23:31.834
As for me,
I would like to thank them.
00:23:31.868 --> 00:23:36.467
Bradshaw: Yes,
everyone loves the Elephants.
00:23:36.501 --> 00:23:39.834
Ivory Coast are not among the
favorites for the World Cup,
00:23:39.868 --> 00:23:42.234
but they are in with a chance.
00:23:42.267 --> 00:23:46.067
And asked if World Cup success
could bring lasting peace,
00:23:46.100 --> 00:23:49.868
there is a message for everyone.
00:23:49.901 --> 00:23:52.167
- It\'s not us
who take the decisions.
00:23:52.200 --> 00:23:56.467
We can only bring joy
to the public of Ivory Coast.
00:23:56.501 --> 00:24:01.501
That\'s the only thing we can do
as sportsmen, as players.
00:24:01.534 --> 00:24:02.934
It is not about us,
00:24:02.968 --> 00:24:06.767
but about the decisions taken
by politicians.
00:24:06.801 --> 00:24:08.467
We don\'t do politics;
00:24:08.501 --> 00:24:11.801
we only want to have joy
in our game.
00:24:11.834 --> 00:24:15.300
Whether you come from
the north, south, or west
00:24:15.334 --> 00:24:16.734
of Ivory Coast,
00:24:16.767 --> 00:24:18.634
we want to show to all
Ivory Coast
00:24:18.667 --> 00:24:21.667
that we are here to represent
our country,
00:24:21.701 --> 00:24:26.100
and not only one part
of our country.
00:24:26.133 --> 00:24:28.567
We athletes want other countries
00:24:28.601 --> 00:24:31.868
to look at Africa
in a different way.
00:24:31.901 --> 00:24:33.234
It would not be easy;
00:24:33.267 --> 00:24:35.000
it\'s our challenge,
00:24:35.033 --> 00:24:39.901
and I think when the Europeans
and the Americans
00:24:39.934 --> 00:24:41.868
come to South Africa,
00:24:41.901 --> 00:24:45.400
they will see the generosity
of Africa
00:24:45.434 --> 00:24:48.734
and the pleasant side of Africa,
00:24:48.767 --> 00:24:52.601
the side of taking time,
having fun,
00:24:52.634 --> 00:24:56.133
and taking it day by day
00:24:56.167 --> 00:24:59.767
and not asking yourself
too many questions.
00:24:59.801 --> 00:25:01.767
That is Africa.
00:25:01.801 --> 00:25:05.334
We are proud to represent this.
00:25:05.367 --> 00:25:10.501
We hope that the other countries
will share this feeling with us.
00:25:15.934 --> 00:25:18.901
[upbeat dance music]
00:25:18.934 --> 00:25:26.934
[music]
Distributor: Bullfrog Films
Length: 26 minutes
Date: 2011
Genre: Expository
Language: English
Grade: 10-12, College, Adult
Color/BW:
Closed Captioning: Available
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