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In 1994, one of the most reprehensible
chapters in human history took place in
the African nation of Rwanda, as one
million people were killed during a 100-
day purge by Hutu nationalists against
their Tutsi countrymen. The genocide
wiped out much of the male population,
leaving behind a country that was,
suddenly, 70% female. Ironically, as
much as survivors had to cope with the
loss of family and innocence, the
incident opened up new opportunities
for women on domestic, political and
business fronts.
In this powerful documentary, five
courageous women struggle to rebuild
their lives - and that of Rwanda itself -
in a society still reeling from its bloody
recent history.
A dozen years after the Rwandan genocide, many
Americans are familiar with its horrors, in part due to news
coverage and through movies like Hotel Rwanda and HBO
Films' Sometimes in April. Ten years after the tragedy,
God Sleeps in Rwanda explores the long-term aftermath of
the genocide as it impacts five young women who were
orphaned in 1994, and who have faced difficult, life-
altering choices in the years since. Each lost several if not
all her family members in the genocide, and several were
raped by members of the Hutu militia - a tactic of war
orchestrated by Pauline Nyiramasuhuko, the former
Minister of Women and Family Affairs (later indicted for
genocide and rape as a war crime). Despite their
hardships, the women are determined to provide for their
families and, in light of recent legislature giving women
more rights and influence, impact positive changes in their
community and their country.
Out of respect, filmmakers Kimberlee Acquaro and Stacy
Sherman worked with only two cameras in Rwanda, and no
crew except for a translator. Over time, an atmosphere of
trust developed between filmmakers and their subjects,
who were no more than young schoolgirls when they lost
their families.
Over the course of filming, the best friend of one subject
died of AIDS. Like thousands of others, she had been
raped by soldiers and contracted the HIV virus, but could
not afford the drugs that could (for less than $80 a month)
have saved her life. In response, Acquaro and Sherman
resolved to use this film to raise money and awareness for
Rwandan survivors. Through fundraising screenings they
have raised nearly $25,000, and with the help of Amnesty
International, they were also able to relocate their
translator to the U.S.
God Sleeps in Rwanda is narrated by Rosario Dawson,
who has starred in numerous films including Kids, Sin City,
Alexander, Shattered Glass, He Got Game, Men in Black 2,
and the film adaptation of Rent.
CREDITS: Written, Directed and Produced by Kimberlee Acquaro & Stacy
Sherman; Narrated by Rosario Dawson; Edited by Craig Tanner.
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