God is the backdrop, not the centerpiece, for this film about a flourish of humanity in the wake of evil in West Africa. Tens of thousands of hands were chopped off during the 11-year war, to be sent to the president of Sierra Leone. "The hand you voted with for the civilian government," rebels would say, "you will never vote with again." Four thousand people have survived the crude amputations. A victim is asked if he would seek revenge against the man who did this to him. He reflects; then says, "Me? God no say so."

"The hand you have voted with for the civilian government, you will never vote with again". He said, "We are the ones who have no mercy on this. For women, we will cut the left hand. For men, the right hand". They started with the smallest child. Her name is Damba Koroma. The girl was six years of age. Then they cut her mother's hand. They cut them all the left hand. Then they came to us…

Switzerland, Sierra Leone - 2010 - 1 h 28 mn 28s - Digibeta, DVCAM, hard drive, or DVD - 4/3 - Colour

This film reveals the courage, and source of inspiration of those who lived through the horrors of war in Sierra Leone. From the hard working Bonka people, through the prostitute Julietta, and the wild, hilarious antics of the school children, we are treated to a spirit of togetherness, optimism, and sheer joy.

Director
Brigitte Uttar KORNETZKY

Writer
Brigitte Uttar Kornetzky

Camera
Brigitte Uttar Kornetzky

Sound
Brigitte Uttar Kornetzky

Editing
Brigitte Uttar Kornetzky

Music
Henryk Mikolaj Gorecki

Production
Brigitte Uttar KORNETZKY
Magpie Dream Pictures,
Homberg 329,
9125 Brunnadern, Suisse
Tél : +41 71 374 1809

Sales
Phil Olinick
Magpie Dream Pictures,
Homberg 329,
9125 Brunnadern, Suisse
Tél : +41 71 374 1809

© Brigitte Uttar KORNETZKY 2010
MagpieDreamPictures


FESTIVALS / AWARDS

2011 | 13th Thessaloniki Documentary Film Festival, Thessaloniki | 11.03.2011 - 20.03.2011
* Selection: Competition,

2010 | 8th World Film Festival Bangkok, Bangkok, 05.11.2010 - 14.11.2010
* Selection

2010 | 14th Jihlava International Documentary Film Festival, Jihlava, 26.10.2010 - 31.10.2010
* Competition

2010 | doclisboa 2010 VIII Festival internacional de cinema documental Lisboa, Lisboa, 14.10.2010 - 24.10.2010
* Competition

2010 | 34e FFM - Festival des films du monde Montréal, Montréal, 26.08.2010 - 06.09.2010
* Selection: DOCUMENTARIES OF THE WORLD 2010
* Première North America

2010 | Monaco Charity Film Festival, Monaco, 05.05.2010 - 11.05.2010
* Selection
* Special Mention of the Jury 2010

2010 | Beldocs International Documentary Film Festival Belgrade, Beograd, 13.04.2010 - 20.04.2010
* Selection

2010 | 39th International Film Festival Rotterdam, Rotterdam, 27.01.2010 - 07.02.2010
* Selection