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Deep Dive: Finding Sally (2020)

Film Lens

Finding Sally
Finding Sally is a 2020 Canadian documentary directed by Tamara Mariam Dawit, focusing on the life of Sally, an Ethiopian aristocrat who became a communist rebel. The film centers on her mysterious disappearance following the Ethiopian revolution that led to the overthrow of Emperor Haile Selassie. As the aunt of the director, Tamara Dawit, the film intertwines personal narrative with historical context, providing insights into both Sally's life and the political climate of Ethiopia during that era. The documentary was filmed in Ethiopia and features a range of interviews and archival footage. It premiered on April 30, 2020, as part of CBC Television's Hot Docs at Home series after the cancellation of the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The film has received critical acclaim and was nominated for multiple awards, including the Best Documentary Program at the 9th Canadian Screen Awards in 2021.

Why Watch

  • •Meet Sally, an Ethiopian aristocrat turned rebel.
  • •Follow Tamara Dawit as she reveals family history.
  • •See the impact of the Ethiopian revolution on personal lives.

Did You Know

•Sally was an Ethiopian aristocrat-turned-communist-rebel.
•The film premiered on April 30, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
•It was nominated for Best Documentary at the Durban International Film Festival in 2020.
•The film has a duration of 78 minutes.

Perfect For

Ethiopian historyPolitical documentariesFamily narratives