The Refugee All Stars

Colour, BETA SP
Sierra Leone, Guinea, USA, 2005, 80 min
Section: One World Presents the Sundance Documentary Fund

Synopsis

During the horrific decade-long civil war in Sierra Leone, countless numbers of people were forced to flee the country. Among them were six musicians who formed a band in one of the refugee camps in neighbouring Guinea. Together they discovered that music can not only help heal their own emotional scars, but also alleviate the trauma of many others who share their ill fortune. This film tells the remarkable story of their musical journey through the refugee camps, which ultimately leads them to reconcile themselves with their fate and opens the way back to their homeland.

About the director

Zach Niles comes from a music industry background and has been part of the production of some of the largest rock’n’roll tours (The Rolling Stones, Madonna, etc). He has lived in South Africa and Cameroon and has had a long-standing interest in the music and culture of Africa. The Refugee All Stars is his first film.

 Banker White is an accomplished multi-disciplinary artist who has written and directed many short films including the celebrated I Am Your Appetite. In 1994–96 he was working on the protection and promotion of cultural heritage in Ghana.