By Kimberlee Acquaro and Stacy Sherman
Narrated by Rosario Dawson
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¡ªa genocide survivor herself¡ªthe 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.
Reviews
~ "Women and children are often the first victims of armed conflicts, and the ones most overlooked. GOD SLEEPS IN RWANDA affords these women the opportunity to emerge from the shadows to tell their stories and inspire us with their courage and quiet dignity and, hopefully, compel us to act on behalf of so many victims." - Bonnie Abaunza
Director, Artists for Amnesty, Amnesty International USA
~ "¡filled with gripping testimonies and haunting stories of one of the worst crimes against humanity of the past century¡ But rather than catalogue simple stories of desperation and loss, [the film] tells stories of hope, of renewal, of endurance, of family, of community, and, ultimately, of redemption." - John Prendergast, Advisor to the International Crisis Group, Former Dtr. Of African Affairs at NSC
~ "Everyone must see this film of inspiration and human courage. It is our responsibility to pay respect to all the women who lived and made this film touch our lives, our hearts." - Lorraine Sheinberg, Feminist Majority Foundation, Ms. Magazine Advisory Board
~ "Outstanding.. Inspiring. An incredibly powerful portrait of the courage of Rwanda's women." - Sandra Ruch, Executive Director, International Documentary Association
~ "Haunting and compelling¡Highly recommend[ed]¡can be used to support African and gender studies, as well as studies to analyze the psychological and sociological cause and effects associated with genocide."- Monique Threatt, Educational Media Reviews Online
~ "Recommended to both academic and public libraries for a human perspective on the genocide in Rwanda and its impact on the country and its people."- Beth Traylor, Library Journal
Notes
~ Amnesty International's Stop Violence Against Women
~ The Boston Museum of Fine Art
~ Harvard University's Carr Center for Human Rights
~ Steven Spielberg's Shoah Foundation, Los Angeles, CA
~ Woodrow Wilson International Center, Washington DC
~ Hawaii International Film Festival
~ International Documentary Association, Docuweek
~ United Nations Traveling Film Festival
~ Pacific Palisades Film Festival
~ Bahamas International Film Festival
~ Artists for Amnesty
~ Flickerfest International Short Film Festival
~ Nominee, Distinguished Short Film International Documentary Association
~ Nominee, Pare Lorentz Award, International Documentary Association
~ Ladyfest, Chicago, IL
Awards
~ Emmy Award for Best Documentary
~ Academy Award Nominee for Best Documentary Short
~ Audience Award, Silverdocs/AFI Film Festival
~ Jury Special Mention, Silverdocs/AFI Film Festival
~ Audience Award, Palm Springs Fest of Short Films
~ Audience Award, Aspen Shorts Fest
~ Best Independent Mini Doc, Black Reel Awards
~ Critic's Choice Award, Jackson Hole Docuweek IDA
~ World Cinema Short Award, Phoenix Film Festival
~ Festival Award, Ojai Film Festival
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