On his own volition, filmmaker Neil Abramson travelled alone to war torn northern Uganda to create a documentary which chronicles the savageness faced by tens of thousands of children in this area of the country. In this too-often forgotten part of the world, children live in fear of being shaken from their sleep by strangers and forcibly taken from their homes to serve in the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). The children are made into rebels; brainwashed, tortured, starved and forced to kill. Many times, even ordered to murder their own loved ones. In addition to these horrors, young girls are raped and made concubines by the LRA soldiers.
Abramson spent his time in Africa, documenting the events at GUSCO, the rehabilitation center for children who are able to escape their capturers. In his emotional and powerful documentary, Abramson creates a moving collage of heartfelt stories from the children themselves, as well as the social workers who helped to rehabilitate and eventually integrate them back into society. Through stark black and white photos, combined with emotional on-camera interviews and background footage, Abramson captures this reality. Soldier Child weaves tales of the atrocities and brutality these children face; from a 16 year-old girl who recently gave birth to her first child, (the result of a rape by the LRA soldiers), to a young boy whose feet are so infected from marching in the bush, that he is unable to walk. Many of the children arrive at GUSCO so physically ill that their own willingness to survive and vitality is uncertain.
Soldier Child tells the selected stories of some children who, for months before returning to their villages and families, enter the safe haven of GUSCO. At the center, these children are washed, clothed, debriefed and attemp to be rehabilitated from their experiences, most of which will live with them forever. They are asked to sketch what they are feeling and the counselors are better able to understand their mindset. This enables the counselors to get the children back on track with their lives and home to their families.
When the screen goes dark and the audience is given a chance to reflect at the end of this impassioned documentary, one is left with hope. Soldier Child highlights that through the counseling provided and overall feeling of compassion and love these children receive, GUSCO provides an uplifting light for the future of these children.
Official Web Site
Soldier Child International
Film Festivals
United Nations
The Hauge-Netherlands
U.S. Congress
Amnesty International
Museum of Tolerance
Santa Barbara Film Festival
Chicago University Film Series
Peace and Justice Film Series – Film Aid International (official web site)