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Reviews5
mzober's rating
We just saw this wonderful documentary at the 2006 Jerusalem Film Festival and would recommend it to everyone who has ever heard of West African High Life music and the tragedies of the 11 year civil war in Sierra Leone.
In Guinea, a group of talented Sierra Leonean refugees, constantly relocated from one miserable camp to another, decide to form a band to bring entertainment and a ray of sunshine. They conduct a musical tour of the camps and eventually are asked to perform a cut an album in Sierra Leone as part of the UN resettlement program.
While they are reluctant at first to go home, even for a short stay, they give in when they see that it make be a good economic decision for their musical careers.
The visit to Sierra Leone is both exhilarating and sad for the band members. They are very pleased to see old friends. On the other hand, the realize that serious damage has occurred - to Freetown's building and neighborhoods and also to those who remained behind.
When they return to the refugee camp in Guinea they encourage resettlement back in Sierra Leone. All but one of the band members do resettle.
You will love the music and learn of the hopes, fears and aspirations of these refugees who do become and are today true all stars.
In Guinea, a group of talented Sierra Leonean refugees, constantly relocated from one miserable camp to another, decide to form a band to bring entertainment and a ray of sunshine. They conduct a musical tour of the camps and eventually are asked to perform a cut an album in Sierra Leone as part of the UN resettlement program.
While they are reluctant at first to go home, even for a short stay, they give in when they see that it make be a good economic decision for their musical careers.
The visit to Sierra Leone is both exhilarating and sad for the band members. They are very pleased to see old friends. On the other hand, the realize that serious damage has occurred - to Freetown's building and neighborhoods and also to those who remained behind.
When they return to the refugee camp in Guinea they encourage resettlement back in Sierra Leone. All but one of the band members do resettle.
You will love the music and learn of the hopes, fears and aspirations of these refugees who do become and are today true all stars.
We just saw this most remarkable piece of Yiddish film history at the Jerusalem Film Festival. It is a must for those who love Yiddish culture and cantonal artistry.
While the story is dated, is is a great period piece that takes you to a small shtetl - Belz and to the turn of the 20th Century immigrant experience.
We enjoyed seeing Jewish boy struggle and make it in his new country only to return back home to celebrate his parents' golden wedding anniversary and face new choices and challenges.
Kudos to the Brandeis University and the film project for preserving this important work.
While the story is dated, is is a great period piece that takes you to a small shtetl - Belz and to the turn of the 20th Century immigrant experience.
We enjoyed seeing Jewish boy struggle and make it in his new country only to return back home to celebrate his parents' golden wedding anniversary and face new choices and challenges.
Kudos to the Brandeis University and the film project for preserving this important work.
We just saw this movie at the Jerusalem Film Festival and enjoyed it. It is certainly a bit strange - a haunted and blessed Scandinavian priest on a mission and his very odd collection of parishioners including a neo-nazi, a randy drunk and a wacky aspiring terrorist.
The priest seems to be in denial when it comes to anything in his life that may seem awry - an ill child, his cancer and his lapsing parishioners. He maintains an odd optimism that seems to be justified as events unfold.
I do recommend this film for those who are looking for something different - perhaps even bizarre and at times inspiring. You leave the showing with a smile.
The priest seems to be in denial when it comes to anything in his life that may seem awry - an ill child, his cancer and his lapsing parishioners. He maintains an odd optimism that seems to be justified as events unfold.
I do recommend this film for those who are looking for something different - perhaps even bizarre and at times inspiring. You leave the showing with a smile.