Principal filming took place primarily in the Republic of Zimbabwe (formerly called, until April 1980, Southern Rhodesia) because of the tense political situation in South Africa at the time of shooting. Richard Attenborough was later criticised for filming in Zimbabwe while the Gukurahundi genocide was underway. In his autobiography, Entirely Up to You, Darling, Attenborough wrote that he didn't know about the repression taking place, but castigated President Robert Mugabe for seizing white-owned farms after 2000.[6]