HAMMASKJOLD/ HAMMARSKJOLD: FIGHT FOR PEACE

Sweden/Norway/South Africa, 2023, 114 minutes, Colour.

Mikael Persbrandt, Francis Chouler, Hakeem Kae-Kazim, Colin Salmon, Richard Brake, Sara Soulie, Thure Lindhardt, Jordan Duvigneau.

Directed by Per Fly.

For older audiences who remember the late 1950s and early 1960s, the name of Dag Hammarskjold. A Swedish diplomat, he was much admired at the time, establishing a pattern for the role of the Jews to of the United Nations. After his untimely death, his book of poems and spiritual reflections was published, Markings, the source of reflection and inspiration for the many who read it.

This film, focusing on the late 1960 and throughout 1961, offers an excellent opportunity for memories for older audiences and, one hopes, something of a revelation to younger audiences about one of the significant personalities of the 20^th century.

This film offers a portrait of Hammarskjold as well as something of a study of his character and his diplomatic efforts. Early in the film, there is his declaration to combat colonialism – and, while he fell victim to his efforts, his influence throughout the 1960s and beyond was quite powerful, especially in Africa, so many of the countries moving towards independence.

Hammarskjold is played by Swedish actor Mikael Persbrandt (who had actually played Hammarskjold in a supporting role in the South African film and story, The Siege of Jadotville). And Hammarskjold  at this stage of his life was in later middle age, heavily involved for his life in diplomacy, a hard worker, if a lonely person, a very loyal staff who supported him, with whom he could share his ideas and hopes, and, in this film, a loyal friend in his chauffeur, Bill (Francis Chouler) on whom he could rely in every small detail of managing his time, his chauffeur.

Again, audiences need to know something about the situations in the African countries, the colonial powers and their influence, specifically here, the Belgians and the harsh history of the colonisation of the Congo, the severity of the rule of King Leopold, the exploitation of the mines and minerals, the vested business interests. By 1959, the Congo leader, Patrice Lumumba, with some ties to Russia, was viewed by many in the West as too dangerous. As the film shows, a business leader, Tshombe, secedes from the Congo to establish Katanga with himself as leader, leading to the assassination of Lumumba.

The Belgian government, the business interests, the corruption of Tshombe and links are set up with mercenary groups to support him.

On the political level, the film shows Hammarskjold and his ambitions, moves towards independence, encounters with Lumumba, discussions with John F. Kennedy, conflict with Nikita Kruschev, the sessions in the United Nations, the possibility of his being voted out, his taking a strong stance. There are also his negotiations with the British government, the possibility of face-to-face discussions to resolve the impasse. And, with some opposition, there is his decision to send in peacekeeping forces, initially successful, ultimately conflict with the mercenaries. And, this led to Hammarskjold’s death, publicly considered an accident at the time, later investigations highlighting the malice and sabotage.

Another advantage of the film is its look at Hammarskjold and his private personality, being a loner (except for a small pet monkey that had the freedom of his house, a genial companion, Mr Greenback), memories of past friendships, rekindling the friendship, a happy summer day in Sweden with friends urging to buy a house for his retirement, and the complexities of a close friend and issues of sexual orientation.

And, all the while, sequences of Hammarskjold at his desk, writing his reflections, the audience hearing them in voice-over, spirituality, poetry, self-questioning.

Worthwhile venturing back into the 1960s, world tensions and situations, and a singular personality who made his mark and was much admired.

1. Audience knowledge and appreciation of the person and political power and influence of Dag Hammarskjold?
2. Focus on his final year, taking for granted his previous political activities, becoming Secretary General of the United Nations.
3. The recreation of the New York settings, UN headquarters, the interiors offices, meetings? The African sequences, the massacres in the village, the rise of power of Tshombe, the death of Lumumba, the intrigues, the Belgians, the mines, the military, the mercenaries, the attacks? The musical score?
4. The use of newsreel footage, the use of the black-and-white television in the television sets, giving authenticity, the focus on Africa and the events, at the United Nations, the meetings, Nikita Kruschev, the Congo?
5. The role of the United Nations, the secretary general, the Security Council, the establishing of the peacekeeping forces? The perspectives on different nations, the objections of the Soviet delegates, the denials by the Belgians, the African delegates? The meeting with JF Kennedy, the decoding of encrypted messages, Kennedy and his stances? The intervention of the British, the negotiations for Hammarskjold visit for peacekeeping?
6. Dag Hammarskjold himself, his anti-colonialism stances, the events in the Congo, the meeting with Lumumba, the role of the Soviet Union, the uranium mines, the Belgians and their protectiveness, Tshombe and his declaration of independence, the new nation of Katanga, Belgium in support, the execution of Lumumba, the mercenaries, the initial operation and occupation by peacekeeping forces, the leaking of information, the second operation and the disaster?
7. The Secretary General and his stances, defying Kruschev, setting up the operations, Ralph Bunche and his wanting diplomacy rather than action?
8. The Belgians, the negotiations, behind-the-scenes?
9. The staff at the United Nations, Bill as bodyguard and chauffeur, friends? The staff in the house? His secretary and her loyalty? The work in the office?
10. At home, his privacy, the loner, Mr Greenback as companion, the monkey on his shoulder, liveliness in the house, getting free from the cage, his lead, death, his not wanting to view the body of Mr Greenback? His musings, his writings, the poetry? The encounter with Peter Levin, his making contact, publishing, Hammarskjold reading his books, the memories of the past, the indication of homosexuality, the attempted kiss, the reaction, the separation for 30 years? The contact again, the loneliness, the security check and finding Levin had a record? The return to Sweden, the birthday party, the friends, the happiness and peace, walking, the sea, the friends proposing that he buy the house, his decision? The encounter with Peter Levin, the police charge, the letter and the invitation for the future, Levin receiving it after the death?
11. The final issue, the decisions, the politics of 1961, his decision for action, Bunche staying behind, negotiations, the British, the plane, the guard, the leak, the scenes of negotiation with the mercenary dealers, setting up the operation to down the plane? The flight, those agreed to go on the flight? Arriving near the airport, the attack, the shelling of the plane, the crash, the burning of the plane?
12. His leaving behind the manuscript for Markings, his secretary, the publication? The insights into his character and interior life?
13. The information about the aftermath, Congo, Katanga, Tshombe and his exile?
14. The contribution of Dag Hammarskjold in his time? Consequently?