Victims and perpetrators of Sierra Leone's brutal civil war come together for the first time to make peace, face-to-face, in an unprecedented programme of tradition-based truth-telling and forgiveness ceremonies. Through reviving their ancient practice of ‘fambul tok' (family talk), Sierra Leoneans are building sustainable peace at grassroots level - leading their own reconciliation process and succeeding where the international community's post-conflict efforts have failed. Filled with lessons for the West, the film explores the depths of a culture that believes that true justice lies in redemption and healing for individuals - and that forgiveness is the surest path to restoring dignity and building strong communities.


Directed by Sara Terry · Sierra Leone/USA 2010 · 1h22m · Digibeta · 15 · Documentary


2011 | 6th Africa in Motion (AiM) - Edinburgh African Film Festival, UK.
* Selection
Venue: Filmhouse Cinema 2