War Dance (Sean Fine, Andrea Nix, 2007) USA

I went into War Dance completely blind. I had been told it was on a completely different subject than the political turmoil in Northern Uganda. I had no way to prepare myself for how hard I was about to be hit, emotionally. War Dance is able to blend heartbraking tales of the past with hopeful stories of the future.

War Dance tells the story of the Patongo primary school’s efforts to win the national music competition. The primary school is located in the displacement camp of the same name, which has no electricity, running water, and no real offer of protection. If they stray from the camp the children run the risk of being abducted by rebel fighters or the L.R.A.. The practice of stealing children in the night is something the L.R.A. has been doing regularly for years, and it is explained by a captured leader as a way to increase their army.

The film shows the tragic stories of three specific students at the school, Rose, Dominic, and Nancy. They relate tales of horror that no children should be able to tell without exploding into tears, with an eerie deadpan disposition. The darkest parts of their stories are voiced over footage of them in a lightning storm which only adds to the tension of the stories.

The intensity of their stories is interspersed with footage of them preparing for their trip to the music competition in Kampala. The children get lost in the music they make, as a way to cope with the terrifiying world around them. Many of them say that the only time they are happy or content is when they are dancing or singing. They cannot wait to see the city of Kampala, a place many of them have never been or seen before. Nancy says, “I can’t wait to see what peace looks like.”

War Dance is an emotional rollercoaster that had me, the manliest man’s man, that has been born of man, close to tears for a good portion of the film. It does it’s job as a documentary, to educate the public as well as entertain and enthrall the audience. Amazing cinematography makes this tragic war torn area look amazingly beautiful. A must see for a fan of film, and a student of the world.