Organic/Traditional Community Healing

[I had written this review a while back, before the 2011 St. Louis International Film Festival (part of my “SLIFF BUZZ” entries) – apparently the post has disappeared. This film remains an unforgettable tribute to how a healthy society can deal with tragedy.]

Family Talk/Fambul Tok
Through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission – the TRC (cf. resources) –  South Africa took the courageous steps to face and uncover the truth of its violent past, here Sierra Leone, through Tambul Tok, goes even further.
When considering that the family – in its extended meaning – requires a coming together of victim and perpetrator; how can we live together and incorporate what everyone would rather forget but cannot?
What does it take to forgive? Once more Africa has much to teach the world.
A few of the voices:
“For many years I’ve been thinking about this hidden pain in my heart. — we have been living together as brothers and sisters — I never spoke to anyone because it was a very fearful situation — There is no love between us”

The Fambul Tok Film Site – Fambul Tok International – Catalyst for Peace





The book/DVD/poster.

A world map showing all the truth and reconciliation commissions in the Museum of Memory and Human Rights, Santiago, Chile.

Maybe a good occasion to revisit Long Night’s Journey into Day, the 2000 Oscar nominated documentary about the TRC.