As We Forgive

One of the most powerful documentaries I have ever seen. It was commended to me by a couple I know who lived through the genocide, and know the filmmaker and her reconciliation efforts. The message is so needed today, when sectarian strife of every sort is ripping societies apart. Its message is essential to each person, since we each need to forgive. Everyone should see it....

Wow. I was sleepless one night at 3am and a talk radio guy asked the question to a Christian audience this statement made by the director of this film. She had said that she felt that Christian movies were not "dirty" enough. Of course the audience jumped on that to talk about keeping profanity out of movies that they want their kids to watch. But this woman has produced an intense documentary here about getting down to some of the toughest issues, those "dirty" issues like forgiveness when it comes to the Rwandan massacre.The history of the massacre and the back and forth killing of the Hutus and Tsutsi up to 1994 or so, is heartbreaking. To take a quote from Wikipedia:During the approximate 100-day period from April 7, 1994 to mid-July, an estimated 500,000–1,000,000 Rwandans were killed,[1] constituting as much as 20% of the country's total population and 70% of the Tutsi then living in Rwanda. The genocide was planned by members of the core political elite known as the akazu, many of whom occupied positions at top levels of the national government. Perpetrators came from the ranks of the Rwandan army, the National Police (gendarmerie), government-backed militias including the Interahamwe and Impuzamugambi, and the Hutu civilian population.Before the genocide, the Hutus and Tsutis lived in the same neighborhoods, were neighbors and even went to church together. Families were slaughtered. Women were raped and cut up with machetes. Those who survived had lost so many members of their family, and wore the wounds of the attacks themselves.The courts were overwhelmed with thousands of felons captured after the genocide. And it is said that a good portion of the attorneys and judges had been killed, so the president who was newly appointed in office after the overthrow of the gov't that instituted the genocide, realized that it would take years to prosecute all of the 38,000+ felons. So, what did he do? They repented and he released them back into their neighborhoods!!! You have to watch this film! It is a tough movie about learning to forgive the toughest things in life! Highly recommended!

'Video is well crafted, and communicates a value through the lives of the people it follows as they try to sort out their lives, their communities, and their country.

My husband and I are in our 2nd year of committed volunteer service work in Rwanda. The leadership of Rwanda has created a miracle in overcoming the worst possible hatred between groups of people. The genocide was awful. The psychological trauma must have been overwhelming, yet talking, interacting and working with the people of Rwanda is beautiful.This video manages to capture the results of the civil war while avoiding maudlin pandering to either side. The story of how the perpetrators came to terms with their own violence sets the tone for reconciliation stories. The stories of lasting damage to the victims is extremely powerful. But overarching all of the pain and hatred is a story of how the people who committed the violence worked with the survivors to rebuild trust and relationships.It is a video worthy of group discussion for book clubs, places of worship, schools and families.

I would have liked to use this in class. There is a lot if religious references. Although I feel like the quality of content is exccellent, I am unable to show this in a public high school. I did use this as a valuable resource for how life has continued after the genocide.

I read this book and it moved me so much I decided to order the film and it did not disappoint. Anyone struggling with forgiveness in their life will be humbled by the forgiveness that was offered and received in this story.

Fantastic eye opener a must see for anyone with a heart for Africa or just because you are JESUS centered!!!!

Loved this book...thought provoking. You will be inspired by this story. Shows the hand of mercy extended and also honoring the justice that is needed amidst much brokenness. Very much appreciated reading this.

I have read the book, I have now seen the Film, and it is one of those things that are very hard to understand and believe, unless you have lived in Africa, which I have. I would tell people to read this book, it is truly amazing.

Am Anfang war ich skeptisch ob diese Dokumentation Realität widerspiegelt. Mein Mißtrauen gründete auf dem Verlag, der eine evangelistische Zielsetzung hat. Nachdem ich selbst über den Volkermord recherchiert habe glaube ich dem Film. Er deutet an einem exemplarischen Schicksal an, welche politischen, wirtschaftlichen, psychologischen und religiösen Bedingungen geschaffen werden müssen, damit das Unvorstellbare zumindest so bewältigt werden kann, dass ein Zusammenleben möglich ist.

Great documentary