Two times UN Secretary-General, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Kofi Annan talks about himself in an exclusive interview. His Ghanaian childhood seems to have equipped him with unfailing morals and a spirit of optimism. When he entered the UN in the 1960s, he dreamt of serving the major causes of the UN charter – Human Rights, development and the collective security organization. Subsequent events in his life unhinged those dreams. In the 1990s, Kofi Annan led the Blue Helmets on their impossible peace-keeping missions. His ideal back then was violently challenged by a few of the most terrible chapters in contemporary History – in Somalia, Rwanda and Bosnia. He witnessed – over-passively in the view of his critics – the most serious of crimes, overburdened by his powerlessness to prevent them. His two terms of office at the head of the UN were largely spent erecting “ramparts against Evil” he says, and were a quest to give Humanity the means to “counter-attack”. They were a diplomatic struggle at the summit of power, in which the law was often dictated by national selfishness. He suffered a personal ordeal, too, when he came under suspicion of corruption. Throughout his account, Kofi Annan’s vision of mankind is characterized by a stubborn confidence. Although his dream has been “suspended” by History from time to time, it is alive and well…

Pascal Vasselin

Pascal Vasselin filmography shows about 20 documentaries mainly about political, economical and sociological topics, many of them being awarded in festivals : SCAM Star for “Supremes Crimes in Shanghai”, Special Jury Prize at the Figra for the “Weird Destiny of Colonel Jing Xing”.

Broadcast

until January 1st, 2012

Aired on Arte on March 27th, 2011 (42″43′)
Aired on Arte on April 2nd, 2011
Aired on Arte on December 19th, 2013

RTS (Switzerland)
Aired on RTS2 on September 25th 2011

CFI (Africa)

International Sales

Arte France distribution
Arte Sales

Coproduction / presales

ARTE France
RTS
DR
CFI

With the support

CNC
PROCIREP/ANGOA