Rwanda, 1973. Veronica and Virginia are inseparable friends in an elite Catholic boarding school, Our Lady of the Nile. As Tutsis, they’re part of a small minority in a predominantly Hutu environment. Months before graduation, the students’ lives are rocked by the venomous atmosphere that clouds the country. What comes first, sisterhood or politics?
Adapted from the prize-winnning, semi-autobiographical novel by Scholastique Mukasonga, this was the third feature by Afghan director Atiq Rahmani (Earth and Ashes; The Patience Stone).
Screening in our African Cinema Now! series curated by the Akojo Collective.
Rahimi’s film is a heart-breaking look at the corruption of innocence: breathtaking cinematography and a sprightly jazz-infused score bring out how sweet that innocence was, so it’s all the more devastating to see it cruelly snatched away.
Orla Smith, Seventh Row
A beautiful and disturbing work of cinema.
Soraya Nadia McDonald, Andscape
Frightening… strangely captivating, this is an unusual history lesson shot with verve and laced with violence.
Lisa Nesselson, Screen Daily
Community Partner
UBC Africa Awareness Initiative
Atiq Rahimi
Amanda Santa Mugabekazi, Albina Sydney Kirenga, Malaika Uwamahoro, Clariella Bizimana, Belinda Rubango Simbi, Pascal Greggory
France/Belgium/Rawanda
2019
In French and Kinyarwanda with English subtitles
Book Tickets
Indigenous & Community Access
Indigenous Access Tickets Community Access Tickets Ticket Donation Requests
Credits
Screenwriter
Atiq Rahimi, Ramata Sy
Cinematography
Thierry Arbogast
Editor
Hervé de Luze
Also Playing
Franz
Veteran Polish filmmaker Agnieszka Holland takes the bull by the horns to craft a Kafka biopic that's Kafkaesque and then some, artfully layering scenes from Kafka's life and works along with ironic present-day footage for a truly surreal counterpoint.
Late Fame
Based on a novella by Arthur Schnitzler (Eyes Wide Shut) this is a sly, poignant comedy about vanity and art from director Kent Jones, starring Willem Dafoe as a mailman belatedly acclaimed for a book of poetry he wrote in his youth.
Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World
Sasha Waters' documentary takes us through the life of America's best-selling late twentieth century poet, a private woman who shared her innermost thoughts and made them indispensable.
American Doctor
One of the most powerful documentaries of the year, this puts us smack in the open wound that is Gaza, filtered through the eyes of three American surgeons (of Palestinian, Jewish and Zoroastrian backgrounds) compelled to do their utmost to alleviate harm.