War Dance

War/Dance is one of the best documentaries I have ever seen. It made me feel happy and sad at the same time. These children are amazing. Their plight reminds me of the children in the Holocaust. It also made me realize that we are lucky to live in the 21st century and that we are truly a "global" community. What does the average person know about life in Uganda today? Watching these children tell their heart-wrenching stories made me want to go to there and visit their village. I think because of the contest these children have hopes and dreams again. They rose above the horrors of war and achieved, in a sense, nobility, not just for themselves but for their whole tribe. Directors/writers Sean Fine and Andrea Nix ought to receive an academy award for their excellent work! Do not miss this film! Its images will stay with you for a long time.

I was fortunate to see this movie on a promotional pass. Fortunate, as I may have passed up this very moving film. I have seen the documentaries up for an Academy Award this year and this by far surpasses them. It has inspired me. For many, many years Uganda has been at war with rebels, a conflict that I had heard about in the past and thought was long over. I had heard in my youth, how children's families were killed and they were kidnapped, the boys to become soldiers in the rebellion and the girls sex slaves. I was horrified to hear that it is still currently going on. This is a story of a group of these children from Patongo who survived. Some saved from being rebels and some … not so lucky, being forced to kill their own at gunpoint. Sounds dismal and bleak, but this is a story of Hope, Redemption, Pride and Perseverance. With beautiful cinematography and the story of song, music and dance these children are the very image of Life and the strength of the Spirit. The documentary focuses on three students in the Patongo refugee camp, Rose, Dominic, and Nancy, as they prepare for their first National Music Competition in which over 20,000 schools will be competing. They tell their story of survival and trauma of the brutally violent effects of the rebellion. Haunting and disturbing, powerful and most important uplifting, this is the finest definition of Courage. A must see film.

I had the pleasure of viewing this film at Sundance, and it is phenomenal. Outstanding film making, and a compelling story that can only come from real life. My heart went out to the children, and I was incredibly inspired by their stories. Documentary film making at it's best. It won the Outstanding Director Award, and with good reason.

What I found most compelling was how the film showed the resilience of the human spirit in the worst of circumstances. At the end of day, we all want to be loved and to contribute to our society. These children and their families rose above the atrocities of war to achieve greatness within their community and their country. They did it not because it was the "right" or "nobel" thing to do, but because it made them feel good and helped to wipe away their pain. A very important lesson for us all.

This is certainly one of the finest documentaries we have ever seen. It ranks with Hoop Dreams and Roger & Me. The cinematography is outstanding, and the film blends the horrific stories of three child victims of war with youthful hope for the future through music. The directors manage to capture the beautiful landscape of Uganda's war-torn north while also showing how ravaged both the countryside and families have been during the last decades. The music that propels the film forward was also wonderful and unique to Western ears.

This is the only time I have ever left the theater and immediately called friends to tell them to go see a film. All I can say is, Go see this film!

Much like Gore's film, War/Dance is a great cinematic contribution to the world. Bold statement. This film has less urgency and less catastrophe than Gore's but still, it must be watched. I really like the style of storytelling: they allowed the three main subjects--three children: Rose, Nancy, & Dominic--to do all of the storytelling (without any provided narration). The result is three intimate and soul-wrenching revelations of turmoil and perseverance, and most importantly, of hope. Children can be very profound; these three definitely are. They have that look of war veterans in their eyes. Amazingly captured in the cinematography. The shots, presentation of political & social subject matter, emotional content--all excellent. You will walk away informed & attached, and wanting to take action; you don't feel like you've just read yesterday's newspaper or received some second or third-generation information. This film is moving in so many ways. Go.