War Dance
Movie Reviewby Shannon Whiting
“I am excited to see what peace looks like.”
These are the words of 14-year-old Nancy who has been hearing gun shots since the day she was born. Nancy is just one of the 50,000 displaced Acholi tribe members in the 20-year war-torn northern Uganda, and one of three children featured by Sean and Andrea Fine in War Dance.
This Oscar-nominated documentary takes viewers to the village of Patongo to follow Nancy, Dominic (14) and Rose (13)—three pairs of eyes who have seen more than most North Americans will witness in a lifetime, all thanks to a civil war ruled by rebels building their army with the Acholi children they abduct. Out of fear of this Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), 90% of the Acholi tribe hides out in government protected camps like Patongo—cramped quarters overflowing with unbelievable burdens.
Nancy parents her three baby siblings while her widowed mother is kept in captivity after being forced to bury her husband’s chopped remains.
Dominic recovers from obeying LRA orders to kill three farmers with a hoe as a child soldier.
Rose serves her demanding aunt while fighting the memory of seeing her dead parents’ heads pulled from clay pots.
Yet in the midst of their poverty and despair, these children share one common hope: music. For the first time, Patongo Primary School competes for a year with all 20,000 Ugandan schools to make it to the National Music Competition in Kampala.
As Nancy dances, Rose sings and Dominic plays the xylophone to train with Patongo for the competition, a hope arises so strong, it can be nothing short of miraculous.
“We know we are children from the war zone,” a music teacher coaches. “We have lost our parents, our brothers, our sisters. But that is not where our story ends.”
With these words, Patongo makes the 200-mile journey to the city, where most of them will witness novelties like peace and electricity for the first time. Their obstacles do not end with Kampala, however; the children face a belittling prejudice from other schools. Yet the Acholi children continue to carry their tribal pride.
“In my heart, I am more than a child of war,” Rose says. “I am talented, I am a musician. I am Acholi. I am the future of our tribe.”
War Dance is a documentary of few words, with rich language and images that portray the simple yet mystical beauty of Ugandan culture. Through captivating camera angles and Uganda’s striking color, Sean and Andrea Fine open the Western world’s eyes to not only a forgotten crisis, but also a strength of the oppressed human spirit so astounding, it can only inspire.
The earthy Ugandan rhythms will move both your feet and your heart as you cheer on the calm and quiet bravery of singing and dancing war-scarred children. For its weighty themes and stirring soundtrack, War Dance is not just a good view; it’s a must-see.
"It is difficult for people to believe our story," Dominic says, "but if we don’t tell you, you won’t know.”
Unless otherwise noted, all materials on the urbana.org web site are Copyright InterVarsity Christian Fellowship / USA. All rights reserved.
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