War Dance

Product Description:
Movie DVD

Amazon.com:
The superb documentary War/Dance reveals the redemptive power of music, even in the most horrific places. Focusing on three children in their early teens in war-torn Uganda--stoic Nancy, driven Dominic, and soft-spoken Rose--War/Dance tracks the efforts of the school of a refugee camp called Patongo to compete in Uganda's countrywide music competition. The contrasts are staggering; in interviews, the children describe their parents being killed by rebel soldiers, then footage of rehearsal shows them joyfully singing and dancing with their classmates. Some of the sequences are harrowing (a scene where Nancy grieves for her murdered father is painful to watch), but without them, we wouldn't understand how hard-won are the feelings of pride and accomplishment as their school performs for the competition's judges. The built-in structure of the competition gives this documentary a clear and engrossing storyline, much like Spellbound or Mad Hot Ballroom, but the heartbreaking circumstances and the emotional openness of the three teenagers makes War/Dance even more compelling. In one particularly striking scene, Dominic talks to a captured rebel officer, hoping to learn if his brother is still alive. As they talk, the soldier--who's around the age Dominic's brother might be--tries to be helpful, and explains almost offhandedly why the brother is most likely dead. The casualness of this conversation, devoid of Hollywood histrionics, speaks volumes about how violence has infiltrated these people's daily lives. --Bret Fetzer

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Customer Reviews

Rating: - "Life Dance"
An Amazing Inspiration! Especially for new young Musicians, this IS IT! A Calling from Mother Africa, there is nothing else more Important in Life For Life.............Music!
Rating: - Excellent teaching tool
I used this video during a unit on African drumming with my 8th grade music class.The students not only became engrossed in the lives of the children in the video (who were their own age) but also, it was a great way for them to understand the cultural significance of this music.I received a good deal of positive feedback from parents, as well, saying that their students had a better inderstanding of the political situation in Uganda as well as a better appreciation of native folk music in general. ... Read More
Rating: - AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!
This movie is very inspirational and moving. It will bring real life stories to your attention that will make you think twice.
Rating: - War Dance
When I first watched this documentary I knew very little about the conflict in Uganda but I have always enjoyed documentaries and I thought I might learn something by watching this DVD. The conflict though is really only the background in this story of triumph. The children who feature have experienced unspeakable conditions in their lives but rise above these conditions as they practise and compete in a national dance competition. The finale is truly inspiring and I am delighted to have added this DVD ... Read More
Rating: - ABSOLUTELY AMAZING.
What can I say? This movie was incredible. I was so attached to the three children is centered around--you really get to know and love them. The film work is awesome as well. The story does a good job of both showing how the conflict has deeply affected them, but also of how they continue to live. The narrative style is awesome as well, because unlike most documentaries in which you watch once, are informed, and never have the desire to pick them up again, War Dance is a story you can watch over and over. ... Read More