WAR WITCH

Rebelle

Director Kim Nguyen / 2011 / Canada

Winner of the Silver Bear for Best Actress at the 2012 Berlinale, and the Founders Award for Best Narrative at the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival.

Set in sub-Saharan Africa, where 12-year-old Komona lives peacefully with her parents until the rebels arrive, War Witch draws audiences into the chilling world of child soldiers and war atrocities while ultimately focussing on the resilient power of the human spirit. Following Komona through the rebels' merciless training camp to her elevation as the sorceress of the title, this engrossing film is simultaneously heartbreaking and hopeful.

Basing his film on extensive research into the realities of African child soldiers, director Kim Nguyen has nevertheless imbued War Witch with a surreal, dreamlike quality while coaxing from his lead (non-professional actress Rachel Mwanza) an extraordinary, award-winning performance. Compelling cinema on a difficult subject, its poise is refreshing.

“A harrowing yet beautiful tale of courage & resiliency.” - Indiewire

D/S Kim Nguyen P Pierre Even, Marie-Claude Poulin, Kim Nguyen, Anne-Marie Gélinas Dist Curious Film L French w/English subtitles TD DCP 2011

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