JUN 08 -
“Let us forgive each other—only then will we live in peace.” Leo Tolstoy’s saying was the main theme for the documentary As We Forgive, which was screened at United Nations (UN) House on Monday. The hour-long narrative was a depiction of how the Rwandese people, after the 1994 genocide, have left behind their bitterness and joined hands—a much needed interjection in the Nepali context today.
One of the most brutal memories of the 90’s, the Rwandan genocide saw neighbours killing each other in the name of ethnicity. But after the civil war ended, the only solution seemed to be reconciliation, for which the Rwandan National Unity and Reconciliation Commission was set up.
The documentary revolved around the grief of the offenders and the survivors in the aftermath of one of the most tragic periods in world history. It showed remorse on the part of the offenders, whose guilt compelled them to confront those whom they had wronged. Rosaria and Chantal, who survived this nightmare after seeing their families murdered brutally, meet the guilty. The conflict of emotions such as hatred and neutrality, and blame and forgiveness, colour the entire documentary.
Ram Babu Shah from the UN Information Centre said that the theme could be a lesson for the Nepalis.
The documentary was targetted at stakeholders such as human rights activists. However, the turnover was minimal and most seats were filled up by enthusiastic groups of youth. Shah said he was disappointed about the lack of concern regarding the issue.
The documentary will be screened at the Centre for Constitutional Dialogue (CCD) from next week, which will be open to all. The UN is also planning to dub it in Nepali and screen it on national television.
“Let us forgive each other—only then will we live in peace.” Leo Tolstoy’s saying was the main theme for the documentary As We Forgive, which was screened at United Nations (UN) House on Monday. The hour-long narrative was a depiction of how the Rwandese people, after the 1994 genocide, have left behind their bitterness and joined hands—a much needed interjection in the Nepali context today.
One of the most brutal memories of the 90’s, the Rwandan genocide saw neighbours killing each other in the name of ethnicity. But after the civil war ended, the only solution seemed to be reconciliation, for which the Rwandan National Unity and Reconciliation Commission was set up.
The documentary revolved around the grief of the offenders and the survivors in the aftermath of one of the most tragic periods in world history. It showed remorse on the part of the offenders, whose guilt compelled them to confront those whom they had wronged. Rosaria and Chantal, who survived this nightmare after seeing their families murdered brutally, meet the guilty. The conflict of emotions such as hatred and neutrality, and blame and forgiveness, colour the entire documentary.
Ram Babu Shah from the UN Information Centre said that the theme could be a lesson for the Nepalis.
The documentary was targetted at stakeholders such as human rights activists. However, the turnover was minimal and most seats were filled up by enthusiastic groups of youth. Shah said he was disappointed about the lack of concern regarding the issue.
The documentary will be screened at the Centre for Constitutional Dialogue (CCD) from next week, which will be open to all. The UN is also planning to dub it in Nepali and screen it on national television.
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