Synopsis
"If international law […] is not respected then the alternative in the long run will be chaos..."
Awn Shawkat Al-Khasawneh, former ICJ Judge
Researched and filmed over eight years, with unprecedented access to judges from the International Court of Justice as well as leading experts in international law, diplomacy and politics, The Mandate takes us on a deeply personal and philosophical journey into the battle of relevancy for international law. As lawful borders are invaded, cries of dissent are stamped out and fake news goes viral, the film poses the question ‘who holds the right and responsibility – the mandate – to act’?
Extended Version
The West Bank separation barrier/Wall – built by Israel to separate Israelis and Palestinians - was begun in 2002 and is ongoing today. It was erected without consulting any Palestinians and has severed their communities, families and ancestral lands. In 2004 the International Court of Justice (ICJ), created by the UN to handle disputes between nations, ruled that the Wall violated international law and should be dismantled. The ICJ has no enforcement power; carrying out its decisions is up to the international community. Twenty years later, nothing has been done.
In 2015, Stefan Ziegler - following a long career centered on humanitarian action including nine years in Palestine working on refugee issues - having witnessed firsthand the pain and misery created by the Wall and how the ICJ’s decision has been ignored, decided to advocate through the medium of film. The result was the 2018 award-winning film BROKEN – A Palestinian Journey Through International Law which screened at numerous festivals worldwide, received strong press reviews and continues a successful run on the educational circuit.
With the positive impact of his film BROKEN, Ziegler now returns with an ambitious new film The Mandate, which builds on the themes explored in BROKEN, pulling back the focus to take a broad look at the current state of international law.
The Mandate unfolds as a triptych. In part one - a series of unprecedented interviews with judges from the International Court of Justice reveals their thoughts on the lack of action by the international community on their ruling on the Wall while also addressing the importance and fragility of international law.
In part two, Ziegler steps in front of the camera and reveals his impassioned philosophical journey regarding international justice and what he sees as a way forward to preserve and empower it. He makes a convincing case for why international justice matters and his personal commitment to strengthening it.
And in part three, Ziegler moves from individual responsibility to that of the global community. From the idea of the traditional public square –the birthplace of public discourse and policy - Ziegler turns to our modern public square, the Zoom meeting. Here, a diverse group of people he has crossed paths with throughout his career – intellectuals, activists, heads of NGO’s, international law experts, policy makers and members of his film crew - share their thoughts on the path forward for international justice.
Each part of this triptych builds towards a solution and ultimately hope for what has become an intransigent and desperate international quagmire; beginning with the judges who sound the alarm on the urgent need of support for international justice, to the filmmaker taking up this mandate to civil society’s role and responsibilty.
The Mandate thus acts as a dynamic intellectual journey, reaching its destination in the power of the people to uphold what is crucially important and manifest the justice that everyone deserves.
The Mandate
For whom international law matters
A documentary by
Stefan Ziegler
"If international law is not respected then the alternative in the long run will be chaos."
Stefan Ziegler
Director and Producer
“The Mandate” is a culmination of acquired knowledge and experience over time.
Humanitarian turned filmmaker is a journey I was not able to foresee. However, witnessing suffering of people in conflicts the world over came with the realization that standing idly by was never an option. The drive to effect change grew proportionally with the numbness in the face of uncontrolled anger and greed, warmongering and profiteering.
Having learned that international law adhered to in conflict is the best guarantor for sustainable peace. I was determined, to give it my all to make that change. Working in the ‘field’ and in countless missions I realized early on was not the only way to press for the respect of the law and for humanity.
When I turned to filmmaking and potentially strengthening international law that way, I realized the power of messaging and advocacy through film.
From the moment I returned home, in 2014, I worked toward these goals. From the beginning I sensed that the messages in the film were of equal importance to those eager to learn. Now, ten years later and after releasing my second feature documentary, I am convinced of the central importance education through film.
“BROKEN – A Palestinian Journey Through International Law” has made its way into more than one hundred university libraries giving over a million students access to the film. Tens of thousands of students are actually being taught with our film each year. Master’s and PhD students’ theses have been inspired by it and numerous articles written in different languages.
Additionally, BROKEN has been debated, and many times in my presence, in film festivals, academia, and by organisations, including the United Nations. The film seems timeless as we now receive more inquiries than at any time before, testifying to its significance. Shortly after the release of BROKEN I started working on a project we call “Behind-the-Chambers: testimonies by international law experts”. Two series of these are available to the public and soon to be released on podcasts. A new series has been started called: “Outside-the- Chambers: testimonies about international law from leaders and diplomats”.
An educational film based on extensive research is almost ready to be released. “The Curious - International Law for Youth” is targeted for secondary school pupils starting from 14 years plus. It has been created in collaboration with over 60 teachers in 20 countries and supported by a team of senior law experts over the last number of years.
Now, with all that extra knowledge and experience we are releasing “The Mandate – for whom international law matters” into a world, sadly, much more in need of it.
Thanks go to all those who appreciate our film work and for making “The Mandate” a new journey to strengthen international law.
Director's Statement
Testimonials
International Law should be judged by those for whom it was written.
Professor Gilles-Emmanuel Jacquet – International Relations Expert
“International Law must be placed among the people for whom it belongs and for whom it serves peace for all humankind, and not those want to hide behind it.”
Dr Jean Ziegler – Emeritus Professor and Former UN Special Rapporteur
“Unfortunately, International Law can be slow for the people affected by it, but it can be a catalyst for change.”
Professor Pieter Bekker – International Law Expert
“International Law doesn’t belong only to lawyers; it belongs to all of us.”
Michael S. Lynk - Emeritus Professor and former UN Special Rapporteur in the oPt
“It may sound banal, but what I think is essential is dissemination.”
George Abi-Saab - Emeritus Professor of International Law
“What’s required is a great deal of awareness raising and a better understanding of what these commitments, these human rights responsibilities are for everyone.”
Fernand de Varennes – Former UN Special Rapporteur and Educator
“Just like dance and Art is a universal language, so is International law, something global in scope yet coming across as quite inaccessible in its complexity.”
Celinne Bodinger - Dancer & Choreographer
“From my experience as an educator when we mention Human Rights we are simply giving our students a false impression. Mentioning Human Rights without obligations is giving the students only half the truth.”
Ibrahim Tawat – Secondary School Headmaster and LAILY Researcher
“International Law needs to disseminated and diffused more wiedely at the international level, because it’s no longer only a system which applies among States. It’s a legal system which affects the daily lives of human beings, and which has an incredible impact a growing impact on humanity in general.
Abdulqawi A. Yusuf - Former President and Judge at the ICJ
" In today's world, it appears that a film like this one is more necessary than ever. The Mandate contextualises the importance of international law and why it’s so indispensable. With candid interviews from ICJ judges, it sets out what the alternative could be and why international law is fundamental to a laws-based order. The Mandate is a fantastic introduction to this subject for anyone who wants to know more about the ICJ, international law and how it works. It's a testament to the director's dogged determination to have this film made and deserves to be seen by all".
Lovejit Dhaliwal - Journalist and Documentary Filmmaker, London
Mandate is for anyone to whom international law holds even slight
significance - whether you believe in a world where human rights
and peace between states are paramount or find yourself
questioning, “Should I believe in it or not?”
With Mandate, Stefan Ziegler masterfully crafts a unique
language of international law, unraveling the complexities of legal
terminology and landmark cases, and presenting international
law in a way that is both accessible and captivating for audiences,
regardless of their legal background.
The film not only explains the processes but also features the individuals behind the system, particularly the exceptional judges who embody the delicate balance of authority and objectivity.
As an educational resource, Mandate simplifies the intricacies of international law, illustrating how it works, what the role of the United Nations is, and perspectives beyond the ICJ’s landmark case. It explores the origins of the mandate in international law filmmaking, examining where this mandate comes from and where it leads. Through voices ranging from judges to educators, researchers, artists, and translators, the film offers a rich, multidimensional viewpoints and paints a comprehensive picture of the critical role international law plays in shaping our world.
Mandate is not just an exploration, it is a journey into the heart of justice, making it a must-watch for anyone curious about the question, “Why do we need international law?”
Giorgi Chachkhiani - Director, International Institute for Strategic Research, Tbilisi
