Film Lens
Invisible Children is a 2006 documentary that depicts human rights abuses by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) in Uganda. The film follows Jason Russell, Bobby Bailey, and Laren Poole as they shift their focus from the War in Darfur to the conflict in northern Uganda, which is Africa's second longest-running conflict. It shows the abduction of children by Joseph Kony's LRA, who are forced to become child soldiers. The narrative centers on Ugandan children who walk miles each night to find safety and avoid being taken by the LRA.
The film was first screened on June 22, 2004, and has since led to over 10,000 screenings hosted by Invisible Children, Inc. As of June 2009, it is estimated that more than 5 million people have seen the film. The documentary also inspired a grassroots movement in the United States, mobilizing teens to raise funds for rebuilding schools in northern Uganda and providing scholarships to African youth. The film runs for 55 minutes and includes a shorter 35-minute version on the DVD, along with special features such as deleted scenes and filmmaker commentary.
Why Watch
- •See the impact of the Lord's Resistance Army on Ugandan children.
- •Find out how American teens mobilized for Ugandan schools.
- •Meet the filmmakers who documented this urgent issue.
Did You Know
•The film was first screened on June 22, 2004.
•Invisible Children, Inc. has hosted over 10,000 screenings.
•More than 5 million people had seen the film by June 2009.
•Nate Henn, an employee of Invisible Children, was killed in the July 2010 Kampala attacks.
Perfect For
Human rights activismChild soldier issuesUgandan history