Evaluating AFRICA ADDIO (1966) proves challenging. When it was first released, most mainstream media outlets were covering the Vietnam War, and very few people were recording the turmoil that occurred during Africa’s decolonization. Even more than half a century later, this film remains intensely disturbing: deaths of humans are shown directly on film, close-up and without being faked; hippopotami and elephants endure prolonged suffering as they are repeatedly speared until they look like pincushions before finally dying; corpses are scattered across the countryside and in urban areas, treated almost carelessly. There are moments where it seems the sound has been changed to present what’s happening on screen in a misleading way, which was also done in MONDO CANE (1962) and MONDO CANE 2 (1963). Allegations that the filmmakers might have helped create some of the death scenes resulted in legal proceedings in Italy, though they were ultimately found not guilty. However, criticizing this kind of movie for using trickery is similar to criticizing a baker for using yeast; it’s simply one method available to those making the film. Recognizing that mondo films generally prioritized sensationalism and shock over strict factual accuracy helps explain why Jacopetti and Prosperi may have felt compelled to modify already powerful footage: they weren't trying to be serious documentarians, but rather skilled producers of exploitation cinema who happened to be present during significant events.

Source on TMDB