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Life-affirming in its message, The Refugee All Stars introduces a hardy group of six Sierra Leonean musicians who form a band while living as refugees in the Republic of Guinea.
Forced from their homes by a brutal, decade-long civil war, these musicians find solace through music, despite harbouring great emotional and physical scars that will never fully heal. After a tour of other camps, they return to Sierra Leone once the UN has declared the country a ‘safe area' in 2002 where they record their debut album of original songs written during their time as refugees.
Produced over a three-year timeframe, the filmmakers have blended the refugees' stories with their soulful mix of traditional West African music, reggae and classic R&B. As the filmmakers say, ”Even amidst unimaginable hardships, we knew their story would not only be of celebration of what is beautiful about Africa but what is beautiful about human spirit - the will to overcome adversity, the ability to forgive - and when you've found hope, the desire to share it with others.”
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D Zach Niles, Banker White P Zach Niles WS 3DD Entertainment L English, Krio w/English subtitles TD video/2005/80mins
Zach Niles was born in New Hampshire, USA, in 1973. Banker White was born in Massachusetts, USA, in 1973. The Refugee All Stars (2005) is their feature film directing debut.
