The war stole everything, except their music.
Three children living in a displacement camp in northern Uganda compete in their country's national music and dance festival.
Genre(s): Documentary, Music, War
Runtime: 105 minutes
Rating: 7.9/10 (635 votes)
Release Date: 19 January 2007
Country: USA
Languages: English
Company: Rogues Harbor Studios
MPAA: Rated PG-13 for some thematic material involving descriptions of war atrocities.
Director(s): Sean Fine, Andrea Nix
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Producer(s):
Keith Brown - consulting producer
Erik Cleage - executive producer
Douglas Eger - executive producer
Sean Fine - co-executive producer
Albie Hecht - producer
Andrew Herwitz - associate producer
Daniel Katz - executive producer
Kari Kim - co-producer
Susan MacLaury - executive producer
Stephen Nemeth - executive producer
Andrea Nix - co-executive producer (as Andrea Nix Fine)
Josie Swantek - co-producer
Mark Urman - executive producer
Writer(s):
Sean Fine - writer
Andrea Nix - writer (as Andrea Nix Fine)
Cast:
Dominic - Himself
Nancy - Herself
Rose - Herself
Jane Adong - Herself
Kitara Coldwell - Herself
Joshua Kyallo - Himself
Members of Acholi Tribe - Themselves
Janani Okot - Himself
Jolly Okot - Herself
Stephen Rwangyezi - Himself
Music: Asche & Spencer, Chris Beaty, Ryan Dodge, Greg Herzenach, Beth Husnik, Alan Omerovic, Tom Scott, Thad Spencer, Janell Vircks, Richard Werbowenko, Al Wolovitch
Keith Brown - consulting producer
Erik Cleage - executive producer
Douglas Eger - executive producer
Sean Fine - co-executive producer
Albie Hecht - producer
Andrew Herwitz - associate producer
Daniel Katz - executive producer
Kari Kim - co-producer
Susan MacLaury - executive producer
Stephen Nemeth - executive producer
Andrea Nix - co-executive producer (as Andrea Nix Fine)
Josie Swantek - co-producer
Mark Urman - executive producer
Writer(s):
Sean Fine - writer
Andrea Nix - writer (as Andrea Nix Fine)
Cast:
Dominic - Himself
Nancy - Herself
Rose - Herself
Jane Adong - Herself
Kitara Coldwell - Herself
Joshua Kyallo - Himself
Members of Acholi Tribe - Themselves
Janani Okot - Himself
Jolly Okot - Herself
Stephen Rwangyezi - Himself
Music: Asche & Spencer, Chris Beaty, Ryan Dodge, Greg Herzenach, Beth Husnik, Alan Omerovic, Tom Scott, Thad Spencer, Janell Vircks, Richard Werbowenko, Al Wolovitch
Posted on: November 1, 2007
Posted in: Documentary, War
February 16th, 2007
I saw War Dance when it was screened at the Sundance Film Festival. Ished a lot of tears and was awed at the resiliency of these children.Besides the devastating aspects of the film, it was also uplifting andbrought a smile to my face. Simple things that opportune individualstake for granted made these children so happy. The cinematography wasbeautiful and symbolic. The children were lovable. Everyone should seethis film as it opens our eyes to what others suffer and overcome. Ithelped me to realize how lucky I was to live in America and have thelife that I have. The film also builds awareness and gives the viewerinformation on how they can help out with situation in northern Uganda.
October 9th, 2007
First of all, be prepared: this is not an easy film to watch. Though Ihad heard something about the situation in Uganda, I had no idea justhow horrible things are for so many people there. As other viewers havecommented, it is hard to watch these children narrate their stories ofhorror, which are so disturbing you almost wish the film was fictional.And yet — when these children have the opportunity to dance, to sing,to play music, it does indeed seem that something in their hearts canshine again. This is one of those documentaries that will spur you toaction — to want to do something to make a difference — if not inUganda, then in your own community. Certainly if you've been feelingsorry for yourself and obsessing about your personal issues, this moviewill help you put them in perspective. It is also a gorgeously shotfilm in what must have been trying circumstances. I wondered how thefilmmakers got so intimate with their subjects – at one point, a boyreveals something horrifying to the filmmakers that he had not toldanyone else before. I felt the filmmakers did a good job of treatingthese children with respect and dignity even as they showed theunthinkable challenges they face. A must-see film, and one of the bestdocumentaries of the year.
October 25th, 2007
Much like Gore's film, War/Dance is a great cinematic contribution tothe world. Bold statement. This film has less urgency and lesscatastrophe than Gore's but still, it must be watched. I really likethe style of storytelling: they allowed the three main subjects–threechildren: Rose, Nancy, & Dominic–to do all of the storytelling(without any provided narration). The result is three intimate andsoul-wrenching revelations of turmoil and perseverance, and mostimportantly, of hope. Children can be very profound; these threedefinitely are. They have that look of war veterans in their eyes.Amazingly captured in the cinematography. The shots, presentation ofpolitical & social subject matter, emotional content–all excellent.You will walk away informed & attached, and wanting to take action; youdon't feel like you've just read yesterday's newspaper or received somesecond or third-generation information. This film is moving in so manyways. Go.
November 18th, 2007
This is certainly one of the finest documentaries we have ever seen. Itranks with Hoop Dreams and Roger & Me. The cinematography isoutstanding, and the film blends the horrific stories of three childvictims of war with youthful hope for the future through music. Thedirectors manage to capture the beautiful landscape of Uganda'swar-torn north while also showing how ravaged both the countryside andfamilies have been during the last decades. The music that propels thefilm forward was also wonderful and unique to Western ears.
This is the only time I have ever left the theater and immediatelycalled friends to tell them to go see a film. All I can say is, Go seethis film!