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In 1991, a civil war erupted in Sierra Leone, a small country located on the northwestern coast of Africa. The war lasted until 2002, and it left the country’s capital, Freetown, ravaged. Throughout the battles, survivors fled north to New Guinea, where they set up refugee camps and began the process of healing and rebuilding what was left of their communities. Despite the incredible hardship that these strong-spirited souls endured, they absolutely shine with remarkable forgiveness and hope.
This honest, gritty documentary focuses on one such refugee camp, and it briefly follows the journey of seven passionate, resourceful musicians as they use crudely-fashioned instruments and extraordinary talent to begin to heal their small community. Their music is upbeat, passionately-rendered, and exuberant.
I absolutely loved the first part of this film. It was bittersweet to hear these people tell their heartbreaking stories and inspiring to watch them use their resources to strengthen the injured spirits of everyone around them. I delighted in watching them travel to nearby refugee camps to spread the love.
Nonetheless, I have to say that I was hugely turned off by the producers (Zach Niles and Banker White) when they offered the band a recording contract on the condition that they return to Freetown to cut the record. Maybe it made a certain amount of sense from a callous business perspective, but these folks had already been through [more than] enough. And it would have made a great film simply on what they brought to the refugee table without the added drama. Seriously, they’re called refugees for a reason.
If you can get around this painful little slice of dispassion, though, you’ll be rewarded with an ultimately uplifting and inspiring story about the healing power of music.
