Film Lens
Kisangani Diary, also known as Loin du Rwanda, is a documentary directed by Hubert Sauper that focuses on the plight of Hutu refugees who fled to Zaire following the 1994 genocide of Tutsis. The film captures the dire conditions these refugees faced, including famine and disease, as they were pursued by armed militias. In March 1997, the United Nations discovered thousands of these refugees along a railway line south of Kisangani in the Democratic Republic of Congo, just after a massacre had occurred the night before their discovery.
The documentary details the aftermath of the massacre and the subsequent arrival of humanitarian aid. It depicts how the refugees gathered in two large camps, with plans for repatriation. However, the camps were not secured, leading to an attack by the Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo-Zaire, resulting in further massacres. The film presents a stark account of the refugees' struggles and the tragic events that unfolded during this period.
Why Watch
- •See the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
- •Meet the Hutu refugees living in dire conditions.
- •Find out about the UN's discovery in Kisangani.
Did You Know
•In March 1997, thousands of Hutu refugees were found by the UN.
•The documentary covers a massacre that occurred the night before their discovery.
•The film won the Cinéma du Réel Grand Prix for Best Film in Paris in 1998.
•The refugees were attacked shortly after humanitarian aid arrived.
Perfect For
Rwandan historyHumanitarian crisesDocumentary film enthusiasts