Voices

SATURDAY, MARCH 1, 2008

God Sleeps in Rwanda

A film by Kimberlee Acquaro and Stacy Sherman
Narrated by Rosario Dawson
2004, 28 minutes
Kinyarwanda, Subtitled

ACADEMY AWARD NOMINEE
FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT

 

FILM:

Uncovering amazing stories of hope in the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide, Academy Award-Nominee "God Sleeps in Rwanda" captures the spirit of five courageous women as they rebuild their lives, redefine women's roles in Rwandan society and bring hope to a wounded nation.

The 1994 Rwandan Genocide left the country nearly 70 percent female, handing Rwanda's women an extraordinary burden and an unprecedented opportunity. Girls are attending school in record numbers, and women now make up a large part of the country's leadership. Working with two cameras and no crew except for their translator -- a genocide survivor herself -- the filmmakers uncover incredible stories: an HIV-positive policewoman raising four children alone and attending night school to become a lawyer, a teenager who has become head of household for her four siblings, and a young woman orphaned in her teens who is now the top development official in her area. Heart-wrenching and inspiring, this powerful film is a brutal reminder of the consequences of the Rwandan tragedy, and a tribute to the strength and spirit of those who are moving forth.   

RWANDA RISING, a photographic exhibit by Tim Botsko.  This powerful series of sixteen photographs was taken by Botsko during a humanitarian mission to build the El Shaddai Orphanage in Kigali that has provided a home for 400 homeless youth.

 

DISCUSSION: 

Tim Botsko and Paula Herring will share their stories about their travels to Rwanda.  Botsko says that “despite its recent history of horror, Rwanda is moving forward with hope and huge efforts at forgiveness and reconciliation.  Although not perfect, Rwanda can serve as an example to the world of the worst and best of human nature.”

 

PERFORMANCE: 

Eveoke dancers will perform two excerpts from its Performing Group show RISE: The Dances of Heroes & Heroines.   Their excerpts are entitled “Claudette Colvin” – a dance piece about courage set to music by Nina Simone and  “Still, I Rise” – movement set to poetic text by Maya Angelou.