God Sleeps in Rwanda (2005)

A powerful documentary about five women whose lives have been irrevocably altered by the Rwandan genocide. With the country left nearly 70% female in the wake of the massacres, "God Sleeps ... See full summary »

Directors:

Kimberlee Acquaro, Stacy Sherman

Writers:

Kimberlee Acquaro, Stacy Sherman

Star:

Rosario Dawson

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 5 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview:
Rosario Dawson	...	Narrator (voice)

Storyline

A powerful documentary about five women whose lives have been irrevocably altered by the Rwandan genocide. With the country left nearly 70% female in the wake of the massacres, "God Sleeps In Rwanda" is a lucid portrait of the much larger change affected by women in the East African country.

---

Plot Keywords:

genocide | rwanda | sleeps | title directed by female | war crime | 

---

Genres:

Documentary | Short

---

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 August 2005 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Kigali, Rwanda

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

User Reviews

Moving stories of women who survived the Rwandan genocide

This film relates the stories of five women who survived the Rwandan genocide. The filmmakers wisely keep themselves out of the picture and instead let the women tell their stories in their own words. Their experiences were so horrific that it's hard to watch without crying. Yet there's nothing self-pitying in their words-- what happened, happened, and now they must go on as best as they can. All of these women are courageous, but I was most affected by the words of a young girl who became the head of her family at the age of 12 after her parents were killed. In the years since the genocide, she has devoted herself to caring for her younger siblings. At the film's end, she reflects, "I don't think my parents would be happy to see me (spending her young life raising her brothers and sisters). But I think they would be proud."

"God Sleeps in Rwanda" is far and away the strongest nominee for Best Documentary Short Subject for 2005.