Sand and Sorrow (2007)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

Paul Freedman

Writer:

Paul Freedman (writer)

Release Date:

December 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Documentary

Plot:

A documentary about the events that led to the rise of Darfur's Arab-dominated government and the international community's "legacy of failure" to respond to the genocide carried out in the country. |

Plot Keywords:

Darfur | Sudan | Genocide

Cast

George Clooney	...	Narrator / Himself
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Ahmed Ali	...	Himself
Abdulrahman Al-Zuma	...	Himself
Hilary Benn	...	Himself
Oliver Bercault	...	Himself
Sabina Blay	...	Herself
Sam Brownback	...	Himself
Alex de Waal	...	Himself
Ahmed Ibrahim Diraige	...	Himself
Frieda Hyiramana	...	Herself
Major Mike Katukula	...	Himself
Nicholas Kristof	...	Himself
Alex Last	...	Himself
Leslie Lefkow	...	Himself
Hannah MacDonald	...	Herself
Riley MacDonald	...	Herself
Minni Minawi	...	Himself
Happy Mutesi	...	Herself
Barack Obama	...	Himself
Major Reuben Colince Ondoua	...	Himself
Samantha Power	...	Herself
John Prendergast	...	Himself
Gerard Prunier	...	Himself
Eric Reeves	...	Himself
Harry Reid	...	Himself
Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis	...	Himself
Ken Silverstein	...	Himself
Adam Sterling	...	Himself
Speciose Uwamwezi	...	Herself
Elie Wiesel	...	Himself

Runtime:

USA:92 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Netherlands:16 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Darfur, Sudan

Company:

Amahoro

We can't wait for Michael Moore

Soon after 9/11, Jim Terr wrote a beautiful song called "Remember September 12th." Google it if you haven't heard it.

How can we forget the day, Three thousand got blown away. But what a shock to start to explore How that day, and the day after, and the day before

Twenty-four thousand dropped like flies Right before the world's uncaring eyes. So while you bask in our bounty and wealth Remember September 12th.

The tragedy that is going on in Darfur today, where 400,000 have been murdered, countless numbers of women have been gang-raped, and 2.5 million people are in virtual prison in refugee camps makes September 11th seem like a traffic accident. Yet, despite the carnage and the real evidence that what happened in Rwanda is occurring in Sudan, we do nothing, just as we did nothing in Rwanda.

Darfur is not a threat to anyone and is of no benefit to anyone, so no one cares what happens to them. Add to that the fact that they are Africans, and you can understand the message of this film very clearly.

George Clooney narrates a compelling story that should be seen by everyone. He is assisted by standout journalist, Nicholas Kristof, and Elie Wiesel, who is there to remind us that we did say at one time, "Never Again." Well, it is happening again, and we do nothing.

The Bush administration gives lip service to Darfur, while they are dealing with the government of Sudan to obtain information to aid them on their terror campaign. Sudan has something we want; Darfur doesn't. The actions this administration is taking against Iran, would have solved this crisis long ago if they were implemented against Sudan, but Iran has something we want; Darfur doesn't.

Almost 3,000 Americans died on September 11th, but thousands are dying every day in Darfur. Can we continue to look the other way and call ourselves a "christian" nation?

The only flaw in this compelling film was the fact that it didn't seem to flow smoothly. But what is that compared to the message it is sending to the world?

Michael Moore could have done a better job, but we can't wait any longer.