War Dance

Invisible Children’s viral #StopKony campaign has caused a lot of controversy.  Some criticize its facts, its vilifying of the Lord’s Resistance Army leader Joseph Kony to the exclusion of all other problems, or the organization itself.  Whatever your thoughts are, what the campaign has done exceedingly well is to bring the issue of child soldiers to current consciousnesses.

Shine Global’s first film War/Dance (2007) tells the stories of Dominic, Rose, and Nancy as they transform from victims of war into triumphant young adults.  For the past two decades, the children of the Acholi tribe in northern Uganda have been caught in the middle of a horrific war between the country’s leadership and the rebel force, the LRA. But when the camp’s primary school unexpectedly wins a regional music competition, the opportunity to compete nationally in Kampala brings with it the forgotten chance to dream.  War Dance was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary and won two Emmys for Best Documentary and Best Cinematography along with over 20 festival awards and honors.  The LA Times said “To make a memorable documentary… that can’t be forgotten once seen, you have to be more than gifted, you need an instinct for an unusual story and, frankly, you must have luck on your side. “War/Dance,” co-directed by Sean Fine and Andrea Nix Fine, has all that and more.”  War Dance is available for purchase on Amazon and can be watched on both Hulu and Netflix.  Or you can make a tax deductible donation to Shine Global so we can continue making films like War/Dance and receive a thank you gift of a War/Dance DVD and the short follow up documentary War/Dance Returns! Click here to donate now.

In the summer of 2008, director Sean Fine, executive producer Susan MacLaury, and the original “War Dance” film crew traveled back to Uganda for the first time since “War Dance” was filmed. Finally, the people of Uganda, were able to watch “War Dance,” the film dedicated to sharing their story with the world. Approximately 7-10 thousand people came to see the film in the Patongo camp making a lasting impression on the entire crew as well as Rose, Nancy, and Dominic.

Rose, Nancy, and Dominic have blossomed into strong and determined young adults who have become leaders in their community. They are admired for their strength and courage, and their hope shines brighter than ever.

You can watch War/Dance Returns for free online at http://www.filmannex.com/webtv/ShineGlobal

Shine Global is a 501(c)3 non-profit film production company.  All donations go to the production of our films and net profits are given to organizations working on the ground with the issues and children we document.  Please consider making a tax-deductible donation.