AniInterview Sorry, this movie sucks

SincereFinest disgusting, overrated, pointless

Paynbob It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

Cristal The movie really just wants to entertain people.

lorayork Like the Humane Society ads with Sarah McLachlan whining in the background, I was actually afraid to watch a documentary like this.But it was so incredibly, sensitively and beautifully filmed, scored and produced that I am speechless. It is IMO a damn near perfect documentary.The exposition of the stories of just three of the 50,000 children in the camp was skillfully done--but so, so real. I don't know how they got this footage from these children. It was obvious they were confronting their memories for the first times --in all three cases.But the nationwide music and dance competition was exactly what both the viewer and the children were in need of--relief from pain.I am in awe of what has been done here. I leave it with just one question: What can *I* do?

fwomp Nominated at the 2008 Oscars in the Best Documentary category, it is easy to see why WAR DANCE was on top of that list. Although it lost out to TAXI TO THE DARK SIDE, War Dance need not hang its head.Little known subjects are a great thing to learn about, and this is War Dance's biggest strength. The civil war in Uganda has raged for over 20 years, but few know what it's about or its effects on the population. One look at War Dance will give you some chilling insights.Focusing on three children within the Patongo refugee camp of northern Uganda, all of the kids have lost at least one parent, sibling or family member to the horrors of the war, and have been forced into this government protected camp for basic survival. Life is dank, depressing, and full of fear. Until one day the children discover that their little school has qualified for the finals at the annual Kampala Music Festival. And with them will go Dominic, a boy forced into being a child soldier for the rebels and desperately trying to locate his lost brother. A gripping scene between himself and a rebel leader tells Dominic much of what he already suspected. Nancy, a tough young lady, will go the Kampala, too. And with her she brings the hopes and dreams of her father who was hacked to death by machetes (the visit to his grave is sure to have many reaching for the tissue box). Then we have Rose, the soft-spoken one who is obviously in a funk of depression. But to watch her dance is to see the lights burst forth from her eyes.The documentary is exceptionally well put together. The cinematography of the surrounding jungle is awe-inspiring, as are the tough scenes where children are put in front of the camera and asked to explain how they feel ("I can't wait to see what peace looks like," says one of them as they prepare to compete in Kampala).Shown as a sort of David and Goliath tale, one can't help but see the infiltration of Christianity on these people's lives, too. Their clothing, their "prayers", and many other aspects speak to the westernization of their culture. One of the competition categories is even called "Western Choral Music." But the big winner in the categories is obviously the native dance sequence where Dominic shines as the xylophone player, Nancy dances and spins with delight, and Rose comes back to life. The other schools, initially sneering at this "tiny school from the north", begin to respect them.But can these first timers win anything at a festival where they compete against schools of much greater renown? You'll have to watch and find out. And you should. The tales of torture mixed with the joy of music and dance are something everyone should see. And you might even learn something you didn't know about in another part of the world.

lisa2468sf I had the pleasure of viewing this film at Sundance, and it is phenomenal. Outstanding film making, and a compelling story that can only come from real life. My heart went out to the children, and I was incredibly inspired by their stories. Documentary film making at it's best. It won the Outstanding Director Award, and with good reason.What I found most compelling was how the film showed the resilience of the human spirit in the worst of circumstances. At the end of day, we all want to be loved and to contribute to our society. These children and their families rose above the atrocities of war to achieve greatness within their community and their country. They did it not because it was the "right" or "nobel" thing to do, but because it made them feel good and helped to wipe away their pain. A very important lesson for us all.

papaska I can't leave an unbiased comment on this film as it is so emotional, both happy and sad. I was prepared for it to be heavy, and I felt the film dealt with the hard aspects of children in war in a very even way. It lets the children describe the hardships for themselves, which usually comes across as detached and unemotional, but is more likely overwhelmed and unable to deal with the trauma. One child on the way to the dance competition in Kampala said "I can't wait to see what Peace is like." It was shocking to hear kids so young talk about murder, death, survival and loss so frankly.I was really sucked in to the excitement and emotion of the dance competition. The kids said "When I dance, I don't think about war." Which is what happened to me in the movie as well. The competition makes it a fun and exciting film you are happy you saw.