If you missed "Children of War" at the Artivist International Film Festival in Los Angeles, go to film's website or Facebook page and watch for any opportunity to catch it again. You simply have to see it. It was this year's winner of the Children's Advocacy Award, and with good reason. This independent film project was a clearly labor of love by Director Bryan Single, who stated in the Q&A that he spent 3 years traveling to Africa, living with the children at the Children's Rehabilitation facility that is the primary location for the film, and capturing their stories in the hope that by sharing their experiences, much needed assistance will be found.
The film is set in Uganda during the height of the ongoing conflict between the Ugandan government and the religion-based, militant terrorist group known as The Lord's Resistance Army led by Joseph Kony. Children of War provides sufficient history and background to enlighten viewers about the basis for the rebellion and the LRA's belief system, but does not dwell unnecessarily on the battle for control. It remains diligently focused on the real story, which is, of course, the children.
Children of War introduces us to three remarkable youths, kidnapped at an age when their greatest concern should be what will happen on the next episode of the favorite cartoon, who are instead forced to participate in and endure atrocities hardly imaginable. As heartbreaking as their experiences may have been, what happens next when they are rescued from the battlefield, enter the Children's Rehabilitation Center and the story begins to truly unfold, is remarkable. Simply astounding. This film eloquently captures both the worst and the best of humanity.