Product Description

Uplifting and courageous, this dramatic seven-time award-winning film by Zach Niles and Banker White tracks the journey of Sierra Leone s Refugee All Stars--a group of six musicians who formed a band after being displaced from their home during the brutal decade-long civil war in Sierra Leone--as they rise from the ashes of war and inspire a nation to believe in the healing power of music.

SIERRA LEONE S REFUGEE ALL STARS follows band mates Reuben Koroma, Francis Franco Langba, Efuah Grace, Mohammed Bangura, Arahim Kamara and Alhadji Black Nature Kamara through their tour of local refugee camps, debut recording session and painful return to their country for the first time since the war. The band s sound, a mixture of home-grown beats from West Africa, roots-reggae and Western-influenced rhythm and blues combined with heartfelt lyrics which condemn war and encourage social change, have been praised around the world, leading to the band s first American tour.

DVD Features: Featurette: Refugee Rolling - this short film picks up the band s story as they prepare for their first journey to America and quickly become an international musical sensation; Deleted Scenes; Musical Moments; About ninemillion.org; Theatrical Trailer

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #23400 in DVD
• Brand: NEW VIDEO GROUP INC
• Released on: 2007-08-14
• Rating: Unrated
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: 1.00 pounds
• Running time: 80 minutes

Amazon.com
The indomitable human spirit shines through in Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars, the true tale of some African musicians who managed to survive, even thrive, during their country's darkest days. From 1991 to 2002, Sierra Leone, a former British colony located on Africa's west coast, was devastated by a civil war in which brutal rebel militias laid waste to their own country. Thousands were killed, while those who survived lost family members, homes, and, in many cases, limbs and other body parts that were hacked off by the sadistic rebels (the film contains grim, sometimes graphic footage of such atrocities). Like many fellow Sierra Leoneans, singer-songwriter Reuben M. Koroma and the other members of the group that came to be known as the Refugee All Stars fled to neighboring Guinea (as did people from Liberia and the Ivory Coast after war broke out there as well). Despite frequent moves from one camp to another ("Today you settle, tomorrow you pack" was one of their mantras), the musicians manage to keep writing songs, practicing, and performing for other refugees; their music, played on drums and electric guitars, bass, and keyboards, is a lilting, infectious, often joyful sound, influenced by Jamaican reggae and reflecting their wartime experiences simply and literally. When the war finally ends, many are reluctant to return to Freetown, Sierra Leone's capital and largest city. But when the United Nations offers to sponsor a brief visit that will include the recording of their first album, Koroma and company agree. And while the place they go back to is a mess, with many people living in poverty and squalor, it is, after all, their homeland; in the end, patriotism and the redemptive power of music transcend. Among the extensive bonus features are deleted scenes, a 20-minute featurette that documents preparations for the All Stars' first world tour, and a variety of "musical moments," including a 2006 gig in Japan. --Sam Graham

Customer Reviews

Suffering Transformed by Music
This is a compelling and ultimately uplifting documentary about refugees from the civil war in Sierra Leone who come together in a refugee camp in Guinea, create a band, and begin to transform their suffering into beautiful music. The documentary includes images of war torn Sierra Leone, as well as the stories of the members of The Refugee All Stars, so there are some very disturbing segments. If you are interested in learning more about this I also recommend a book by Ishmael Beah "A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier."

Uplifting and touching film
This movie is a beautiful film about people rising above a tragic situation. I thoroughly enjoyed it and have recommended it to all of my friends. Definitely worth viewing.

a highly compelling story of music and hope
This is the remarkable story of Sierra Leonean refugees who start a musical group in their Guinean camp. The movie documents the band's return to their homeland. The Refugee All Stars eventually make a record and encourage their fellow refugees to return. From the outside, this film may appear to be a downer given the weight of the topic. Contrarily, this story demonstrates how hope and courage can help us to overcome hardship. Beyond the social and political elements, the music is fantastic. The group's musical style alternates between highlife inspired Afropop and reggae. For good measure, light brush strokes of dancehall and hip-hop are employed. While recorded in the new millennium, the music is graced with a 'roots' sensibility. Viewers who are wooed by the songs should acquire the accompanying CD. "Living Like a Refugee" plays refined songs that were only rough drafts in the film. Not unlike "Buena Vista Social Club," this film documents an unknown musical group just prior to finding worldwide success. Indeed, this is now a global phenomenon, complete with live tours and film screenings all across the United States. The video production is excellent while the audio options include surround sound. The DVD is packed with bonus features including the trailer and the 'Refugee Rolling' featurette. "Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars" is an appealing watch on so many levels. It has music, humanity, drama, tragedy and triumph. Watch this film and experience the Refugee All Stars' phenomenon.