jacopetti and prosperi responded to the criticism by defending their intentions. in the 2003 documentary "the godfathers of mondo", prosperi argues that the criticism was due to the fact that, "the public was not ready for this kind of truth," and jacopetti explicitly states that the film “was not a justification of colonialism, but a condemnation for leaving the continent in a miserable condition.” the subsequent film collaboration between the two men, "addio zio tom", explored the horrors of american racial slavery and was intended (in part) to combat the charges of racism leveled against them following the release of "africa addio" (though it too was criticized for perceived racism, particularly by ebert).