Film Lens
Cahier Africain follows the lives of two young Central African women, Amzine and Arlette, beginning in 2008. The film is rooted in the testimonies of over 300 victims of war crimes committed by mercenaries during the armed conflict from October 2002 to March 2003. Amzine, a Muslim woman, faces the daily reminder of her trauma through her 12-year-old daughter, Fane, born from rape. Arlette, a Christian girl, struggles with a gunshot wound to her knee, which has caused her years of pain until successful surgery in Berlin offers her hope.
As the two women navigate their lives, the film captures the ongoing violence in the Central African Republic, where they must confront new threats to their safety. The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of legal proceedings in The Hague for war crimes, illustrating the collapse of order in a nation plagued by civil war and coups.
Why Watch
- •Meet Amzine and her daughter Fane's story of survival.
- •Follow Arlette's journey to recovery after surgery in Berlin.
- •Witness the impact of civil war on everyday lives.
Did You Know
•Cahier Africain premiered at the Locarno Film Festival in 2016.
•The film includes testimonies from over 300 war crime victims.
•Amzine's daughter, Fane, is now 12 years old.
•Cahier Africain won the Zonta Club Award in 2016.
Perfect For
Human rights advocatesDocumentary enthusiastsCentral African history