Award-Winning Documentary Films to be Shown at the Ali Center
During Louisville World Refugee Week
Louisville World Refugee Week Film Series
As part of our mission to promote respect, hope and understanding, the Ali Center is hosting three films during Louisville World Refugee Week – a series of events held in collaboration with Catholic Charities. Complimentary tea and coffee will be provided by Ray’s Monkey House. Seating is limited and on a first come, first serve basis. For more information, please go online to www.alicenter.org.
The three films “Sierra Leone’s Refugee All-Stars,” “Rain in a Dry Land,” and “God Grew Tired of Us” focus on the struggles of refugees as they enter America. The film topics range from musicians realizing their dream of making an album, families dealing with the struggles of resettling, facing discrimination and impoverishment, and three boys trying to find education and new lives in America.
5:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 17
“Sierra Leone’s Refugee All-Stars”
This documentary covers three years in the lives of six musicians known as Sierra Leone’s Refugee All-Stars. They were formed in 1996 in refugee camps in Guinea, West Africa, after a bloody civil war cause more than two million people leave their homes. The film follows All-Star band mates Reuben Koroma, Francis "Franco" Langba, Efuah Grace, Mohammed Bangura, Arahim Kamara and Alhadji "Black Nature" Kamara from refugee camps throughout Guinea to Sierra Leone, where they realize their dream of making an album. The story is told by directors Banker White and Zach Niles, who document the band through their homecoming to the nation they left. The All-Stars have gone on to perform on the Oprah Winfrey show after their song was used in the movie “Blood Diamond.” For more information and to view the trailer, go online to www.refugeeallstars.org.
12 noon Wednesday, June 18
“Rain in a Dry Land”
This documentary follows the lives of two Somali Bantu families as they leave Africa to come to America. Their story showcases the struggle and shock that comes with resettling. The film begins in 2004 where the families attend cultural orientation classes at a refugee camp in Kenya. The families learn basic tasks such as using stairs, elevators, and even refrigerators. The film then follows the two families for their first two years in the United States, one in Springfield, Massachusetts and the other in Atlanta, Georgia. Viewers see the struggle, discrimination, and impoverishment that come with the daunting task of moving to a new country. For more information and to view the trailer, go online to www.makepeaceproductions.com/rain-in-a-dry-land.html
5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 19
“God Grew Tired of Us”
Winning both the Audience Award and the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival in 2006, “God Grew Tired of Us” tracks the lives of three “Lost Boys” from Sudan who move to America. During the 1980’s, the boys had to walk thousands of miles to escape their war-torn country. During their walk, many of their friends and families died of starvation, dehydration, and murder. The film tells the story of the new lives the boys live in America as they seek education, try to find their families, and embark on a new stage in their lives. For more information and to view the trailer, go online to www.godgrewtiredofus.com
Admission
To see the films (only) is FREE, however, for the Wednesday showing – visitors must check-in at the Admissions Desk in the Main Lobby (Level 2) for an admittance pass.