by Jenni Robison

War/Dance is a new documentary movie about three brutalized children of Northern Uganda and their dream of musical expression. The documentary is set amidst the violence of the Lord’s Resistance Army (L.R.A.), who kidnap sleeping children to abuse them and force them into rebellion and murder, sometimes even murder of their own families. Despite the horror, War/Dance has captured a beautiful story about the epic, unbreakable spirits of these children.

Image courtesy of THINKFilm

Two years ago Rose, 13, Nancy, 12, and Dominic, 14, were forced from their schoolhouse to become rebel soldiers. They each have unique, heart-wrenching accounts of terror with the L.R.A. as they survive through the memories of familial love and utter strength of their will. Through it all they hold onto their desire to dance and make music.

These beautiful children prepare to compete in the finals at the Kampala Music Festival, Northern Uganda’s biggest event of the year, representing their school from the refugee camp of Patongo. They pour their hearts, souls, and bodies into their music and dance–for their ancestors, their homeland, and for victory. Victory not only for themselves, but for all the children of refugee camps, who would gain respect through competition with children who come from more fortunate backgrounds.

Dominic, a xylophone virtuoso, plays music; Nancy dances; and Rose sings. Together they are an awesome force of life and their refusal to give up hope is an inspiration.

100% of Shine Global profits (the film’s producers) goes back to charity.  So please, watch this movie and spread the word; it will save lives. The time to help is now. Please watch the trailer at WarDance.org

WAR/DANCE is just coming off an award-winning independent film debut.

A stunning documentary that will give you the chills, t’s the story of children in Uganda who overcome fear and war and forced soldiering to make their way to the finals of the national native dance competion.

War/Dance follows the historic journey of three children from northern Uganda–Dominic, Rose, and Nancy–and their school in the Patongo refugee camp, the first school from the northern war zone to make it to the finals of Uganda’s national music and dance competition. Amidst unimaginable violence and grief, these children sing and dance: they sing with vitality; they sing without fear; they sing in protest and in celebration.

Here are the initial show dates. Please call the theaters to get exact show times:

9-Nov
New York
Angelika Film Center
18 West Houston Street
New York, NY

9-Nov
New York
Lincoln Plaza Cinemas
Broadway between 62nd and 63rd
New York, NY

9-Nov
Los Angeles
Royal Theater
11523 Santa Monica Blvd
West Los Angeles, CA

16-Nov
Pasadena
Playhouse 7
673 E Colorado Blvd.
Pasadena, CA

16-Nov
Washington DC
Dupont Loews
1350 19th St NW
Washington, DC

30-Nov
Boston
Kendall Square Cinema
1 Kendall Square
Cambridge, MA

30-Nov
Seattle
Varsity Theater
4329 University Way NE
Seattle, WA

30-Nov
Philadelphia
Ritz Theater
214 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA

14-Dec
San Francisco
Lumiere 3 Theater
1572 California Street
San Francisco, CA

14-Dec
Berkeley
Shattuck 10
102230 Shattuck Ave.
Berkeley, CA

14-Dec
Minneapolis
Lagoon
1320 Lagoon Ave.
Minneapolis, MN

25-Jan
San Diego
Ken Cinema
4061 Adams Avenue
San Diego, CA

25-Jan
Denver
Mayan Theatre
110 Broadway, between First and Second Avenues
Denver, CO

25-Jan
Atlanta
Midtown Art Cinema
931 Monroe Drive
Atlanta, GA

25-Jan
St. Louis
Tivoli Theatre
6350 Delmar in The Loop
St. Louis, MO

1-Feb
Salt Lake City
Broadway Centre Theatre
111 East Broadway
Salt Lake City, UT

Facebook helps everyone to spread the word quickly. The film is opening next week and needs support in New York, LA and Washington to start.

Event information and some free tickets will be made available: