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Africa United (Africa United)

World Panorama - Doha Tribecca Film Festival 2010

Synopsis

Dudu, from a Rwandan slum, is a serious football fan. He and his sports-mad buddies decide to walk 5000 kilometers to South Africa to experience the World Cup. (Of course, they end up making their epic journey by jumping on buses, trucks, and cargo holds, too.) The kids cross borders, gather new friends, and are forced to overcome obstacles on their incredible trip. Colourful animated sequences, illustrating a tale that Dudu tells the other children, helps to spice up the proceedings. A film with "energy and enthusiasm to spare," according to "Screen International," the sunny goodwill and raw exuberance of the kids combined with the against-all-odds nature of their voyage makes this a film you'll want to share with the whole family. Portraying the orphaned Dudu, young Eriya Ndayambaje is a natural leader. The film's sparkling scenery, combined with its use of rhythmic African music, is a wonder for the eyes and ears. Anyone who seeks the story of a continent torn apart by war or poverty or disease best look elsewhere - this is an uplifting movie with more soul than Soweto mbaqanga.

About the Director

Debs Gardner-Paterson
Born in Taiwan but educated in India and England, Gardner-Paterson has lived, worked and traveled all over Asia, Africa, America and Europe. A fourth generation Rwandan and a literature major at Cambridge University, she directed four award-winning short films. "Africa United" is her debut feature.

Credits

Director

Debs Gardner-Paterson

Screenwriter

Rhidian Brook

Producer

Mark Blaney, Jackie Sheppard, Eric Kabera

Editor

Victoria Boydell

Production Designer

Mike Gunn

Executive Producer

Francois Ivernel, Cameron McCracken, Christine Langan, Stefan Allesch-Taylor

Music

Bernie Gardner

Cinematographer

Sean Bobbit

Cast

Roger Nsengiyumva, Sherrie Silver, Eriya Ndayambaje, Yves Dusenge, Sanyu Joanita Kintu

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