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Rated: PG
Starring: Don Cheadle, George Clooney, Jason Miller, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Xavier Aguirre
Directed by: Ted Braun
The solemn documentary, Darfur Now, gives an inside
look at one of the most heinous atrocities of our time, the genocide in Sudan,
Africa. The film provides a window for
the case against two of the charged offenders for all to see. But,
unfortunately for Darfur, does not present enough closure for the suffering
they still endure.
Darfur Now is a story of hope in the midst of one of
humanity's darkest hours – a call to action for people everywhere to end the
catastrophe unfolding in Darfur, Sudan. In this documentary, the struggles and
achievements of six different individuals from inside Darfur and around the
world bring to light the tragedy in Sudan and show how the actions of one
person can make a difference to millions. – Warner Independent Pictures.
Written and directed by Ted Braun,
the film explores the Darfur conflict through the first-hand experiences of Don
Cheadle, Hejewa Adam, Pablo Recalde, Ahmed Mohammed Abakar, Luis Moreno-Ocampo,
and Adam Sterling. Actual eyewitness accounts of the murder, torture and rape
of thousands of Sudanese are depicted in the film.
Investigators, both government and
individuals who visited Darfur and have seen evidence of the atrocities, make a
case against the Sudanese Government.
As a result, on April 27, 2007, the world court issued warrants for the
arrest of Ali Kushayb and Ahmad Harun, Minister of State for the Interior of
the Government of Sudan (incited the militia of Janjaweed) for war crimes and
crimes against humanity in this matter. But, arrests have not been made to
date.
The amazing cinematography by Kirsten Johnson brings you up close to the subject matter. Holding tight on the witnesses, her
camera work shows the story of the Fur, Zaghawa, and Masalit people in their
faces and their actions.
One such
interview involves Hejewa Adam who "was born and grew up in the West Darfur village of Shataia. At
the age of fifteen, her education was interrupted when she got married. Ten
years later her son Nasaraldeen Issac was born. In 2003, while her husband was
away in the capital of Khartoum, Hejewa's village was attacked and destroyed.
As she fled with her son on her back, they were beaten. Nasaraldeen, who was
only three months old, died as a result. Hejewa was eventually reunited with
her husband in a camp for the internally displaced, but she decided to join the
Sudanese Liberation Army, which she is a member of to this day" – Warner
Independent Pictures.
There are a number of heartbreaking stories such as
Adam’s, and the film holds nothing back.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A must-see documentary that brings to
light the plight of a proud people and the heroes who are trying to help. Don’t miss it!
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