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War/Dance
 
A documentary by
Sean and Andrea Nix Fine
Few countries have had it as bad as Uganda. Everybody was happy when
the British left, at first, then President Oboto was overthrown by
Idi Amin, who went mad and the country, in turn went to hell. When
he was overthrown, there was hope, but the next two presidents were
gone in four moths and Oboto was back, and then HE went mad and made
the people pine for Idi Amin. There was decades of civil war and
genocide in which over a million people were killed. Recently, the
current regime has brought peace and prosperity to the country,
except in parts of the north, where a dastardly group calling itself
“The Lord's Resistance Army” kidnaps children for service as
prostitutes and soldiers.
The Patongo Primary School is in the middle of this mess. It's right
in the middle of a giant refugee camp, and there's nothing but
misery as far as the eye can see. But there is hope. Somehow, the
kids have qualified for Uganda's annual student music competition in
the capitol.
This is the happy coincidence that Sean Fine and his wife Andrea
arrived in the area to film a documentary showing how horrible
things were in northern Uganda. This is one hell of a great hook,
and it gives heart for an inspirational and heartbreaking movie.
The film focuses on three kids, Xylophone player Dominic, dancer
Nancy and singer Rose, all of whom tell some of the most
heartrending stories this side of Clive Barker. It's clear that
while the tales of horror the trio tell are true, the kids were a
little too rehearsed. Still, It's impossible not to be moved by what
they say.
In between the tales of horror, is the tale of hope. The Ugandan
government sends some music teachers to the camp, and everyone
begins the process of rehearsal. Clearly, all the kids are talented
but don't know exactly what they're doing. This is just a bunch of
kids having a good time, and as the competition nears, the viewer
palpably feels the anticipation the kids did.
The trip to Kampala is rather anticlimactic, but it's still fun to
watch and we
know whom to root for without compunction. This is a truly great
film and should be nominated for an Oscar® next year.
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