Rising from Ashes (2012) Poster

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7/10
A solid documentary
tmercury5 March 2014
The story is about men in Rwanda who where children when their country erupted in a horrible civil war and how they found some purpose in their lives through cycling. One man lost sixty members of his family to the killings. "Six zero" he emphasized. You get to meet these men and their families, the culture is presented and contrasted to western values and economies. Their mentor explained how he provided money to support a diet suitable for a athlete in training but it was spent to support an extended family. You see their success and the pressures that come with it. The camera work and locations are great, you see the beauty and can also feel the grit. Anyone who has fixed a flat tire on a remote trail will get it. In the extras,producer T.C Johnstone comes across as just a arrogant and rude man; We're filming here, can you shut up. Hey, get these locals out of my shot! This is my new friend, spoken in the most condescending tone one will ever hear. His entire commentary is about him. He had problems at the airport, etc. A boor.
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7/10
Compelling story yet missing key historical facts
creative-998-55773311 May 2014
Warning: Spoilers
SPOILER ALERT: Having just completed watching this documentary, I would consider the piece to be a fantastic human survival story, but one missing some key historical details. The narration outlining the Rwandan history fails to outline the transition from the minority Tutsi as imposed by Belgium, to the majority Hutu - the cast ultimately responsible for the genocide of the Tutsi people.

While this documentary is not, and should not be used or seen as a vehicle for a political statement, and more so as a human survival story - the omission of key factors in the social and cultural mindset of the Hutu people between the 1800's and the time of the genocide, is one worthy of mentioning in contrast to the jump to characterizing a previously and severely oppressed and demoralized people a the behest of the Belgian and Tutsi regime.

I would have rated this movie a 10, were it not for the massaging of a story line that would have served better adhering to the facts as it related to the cycling prowess. If the producers wanted to dive into the lead up to Rwandas turbulent history as a side bar, it would have been better served with a few more significantly relevant facts - in this viewers humble opinion.

The omission of these details leaves the credibility and intent of the remainder of the films content somewhat in question.
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9/10
Inspirational, hopeful, beautiful.
sandysmith3179 March 2014
The story of Team Rwanda is one of hope and inspiration. It was beautifully filmed and the story flowed quite well. We heard how, sadly and tragically, colonialism contributed in a significant way to the genocide. Fortunately, we saw beyond that to a Rwanda that is trying to rebuild itself. The film shows both the past tragedy and the present/future hope.

The Rwandan cyclists are fantastic. Some are charismatic, others are softer, maybe even more vulnerable, but just as engaging. Jack "Jock" Boyer's story is also quite compelling. I only wish we heard more about Tom Ritchey, the Californian cyclist who was the one who made Team Rwanda happen. His story is equally compelling, yet another story of hope rising. But I guess it's too much to fit into one film. I'll read the book for his story. That's my only "complaint" about the movie, which is really a non-complaint. I was fully taken by the cast, the country, and the story.
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