War/Dance

Rose tells the story of how his parents were murdered by rebels in an apathetic tone of voice. He lives with his aunt at the Patongo War Zone Displacement Camp, a government run sanctuary for the Acholi tribe. He is one of many children made orphans by the brutal civil war that has ravaged northern Uganda for the last 20 years; Rose tries to continue living and deal with his grief at the same time. He is not alone. Dominic is desperately seeking his abducted brother; Nancy prays for her murdered father to come to life. But – just like youngsters all around the world – they also dream of starlight. “War/ Dance” is also the story of how the kids in the camp rehearse for a national music contest in the capital, Kampala. Life goes on, or as Rose puts it: “Music is the most important part of Acholi culture. It is our tradition. Even war cannot take it from us”. With intimate close-ups and a camera that can’t leave the children’s faces, “War/Dance” captures the cruelty of having to suffer the consequences of a war you’re not a part of.

Nordic Premiere