Filmmaker Mads Brugger’s ‘The Ambassador’ and the Story of a Phony Diplomat

The World

A strange, enigmatic and decadent white diplomat arrives in the capital of the Central African Republic. He claims to be a rich businessman who has come to spearhead a diplomatic mission.

His passport says that he is Liberia’s General Consul to the Central African Republic.

But he was not appointed by the usual channels. He bought his diplomatic passport for $150,000 from a broker he found online.

And he is really there to access vast reserves of diamonds.

That is the plot of a new film, but it is not fiction. It was the real adventure of documentary film maker Mads Brugger.

Brugger pretends to be a wealthy diplomat in his film “The Ambassador.”

Anchor Marco Werman talks to Mads Brugger, who says despite his eccentric clothes and questionable credentials, he did not stand out in the Central African Republic.

Help keep The World going strong!

The article you just read is free because dedicated readers and listeners like you chose to support our nonprofit newsroom. Our team works tirelessly to ensure you hear the latest in international, human-centered reporting every weekday. But our work would not be possible without you. We need your help.

Make a gift today to help us reach our $25,000 goal and keep The World going strong. Every gift will get us one step closer.