As We Forgive DVD

As We Forgive (DVD) is a documentary mainly about 2 women, Rwandan women, who experienced the terror of the 1994 Rwanda genocide.

Rosaria and Chantale experienced the horror of having their families slaughtered. Ordinary turned vicious men, with vicious motivations due, in part, to government indoctrination, and a hate that burned for those they killed (some of whom they personally knew and liked).

Could it be possible that forgiveness be extended to those who murdered their families - is it possible?

The documentary also devotes time in allowing the murderers to explain their painful journeys.

Therefore, this DVD powerfully examines the themes of forgiveness & reconciliation. My 21 year old son, Sam, described this documentary as 'powerful' and I agree because it dealt with real people - in a raw fashion.

Laura Waters Hinson directs this unforgettable documentary, narrated faithfully by Mia Farrow (2009, 53 minutes).

To be frank, it wasn't a DVD I  really wanted to watch.

WORD AUSTRALIA kindly donated (among other products to review) this documentary for us to review & I left it to last, because I not only abhor violence but the 1994 genocide of Rwanda still burns sharply in the mind of this reviewer. I still cannot believe it was allowed to happen for over 100 days!

However, watch it I did and it is in part, difficult viewing and very inspiring as well as educative.

Hinson takes the viewer right into the acute tensions that the issues of forgiveness & reconciliation cause. Heinous crimes are not an ingredient for instant forgiveness. The physical and emotional scars confront the viewer in a very unsettling manner (there is no other way - these are very deep soul searching issues for Rwandans as they rebuild their poor country. The pain is not hidden, nor should it be; especially when the government releases thousands of murderers back into the community due to court backlogs (and costs).

Nor is the role the (organised) church bore in aiding the genocide hidden (and nor should it be). Priests who bury their parishioners under rubble need to be exposed.

However, the critical role that Christians have in the reconciliation process is not hidden either. God has His people motivated to love their neighbours. Grace has come to Rwanda in the Spirit residing within His elect.

This DVD is, in microcosm, a journey of forgiveness; a journey of reconciliation and a journey of mistrust, suspicion and fear. Those of us who enjoy personal peace and affluence will be very uncomfortable with aspects of this documentary.

My concerns about the DVD are 2 in number and they are significant concerns:

1. There are very disturbing images in this documentary and Hinson should have added a warning at the beginning of the film. Be mindful of this if you have children & plan to view this film. Adults should preview it first!

2. Jesus is not only the Prince of Peace but He is the living head of the church. I'm not sure if Hinson edited out any mention of 'Jesus' (God was mentioned) but if she did, she lessened the effectiveness of this documentary. Surely, in a documentary aimed to portray HOPE, there would be thousands of Rwandans who have found their ultimate hope in Jesus, not the church?

Further very interesting details:

As We Forgive movie website

Living Bricks website

AVAILABLE FROM:

 This Logo is an ACTIVE LINK -press for information regarding "As We Forgive"; from WORD AUSTRALIA

(CHRISTIAN FAITH is a non-commercial site. Some companies very kindly donate products to us to be reviewed - at our invitation. Our reviews are our personal opinions; written in terms of how useful a product may be to you.)