Peacemaking Documentaries

These are documentaries we have used at some point in our conflict transformation trainings.  They cover a wide range of peacemaking topics and struggles from around the world.  If you plan to use a documentary in a group setting, remember a key media use rule:  Always preview!

The prices below are the list price. Sometimes you can find the films at special discount rates, including some on amazon.com. In some countries you might be able to get some films donated. All films are in English unless other languages are specified. Languages may be subtitles only.

For those from outside the U.S., some of these films are available on-line in whole or part. You might be able to get U.S. friends to order them and bring them to you.  Some of the films are available in multiple languages and are so noted below.

As We Forgive

  • About post-genocide efforts at reconciliation in Rwanda. 53 minutes.
  •             Languages: English, Kinyarwanda
  •             Website: http://asweforgivemovie.com/
  •             Cost: $16.95

Bringing Down a Dictator

Confronting the Truth

  • About how countries which have experienced massive human rights     violations have created official, independent bodies known as truth commissions. Covers the stories in South Africa, East Timor, Peru, and Morocco. 73 minutes.
  • Languages: English, Arabic, Dari, Kurdish, Nepali, Serbo-Croatian
  •              Website: http://www.aforcemorepowerful.org/films/index.php
  •              Cost: $19.95
  • Now available on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmfDUyA1_z8

The Children’s March

  • A story from the U.S. Civil Rights Movement about the involvement of children in the struggle in Birmingham, Alabama. 40 minutes.
  •                Website:  amazon.com
  •                Cost:  $26.37
  • Now on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5enZRwbnISQ

Enemies of the People

  • A stunning documentary about a Cambodian journalist trying to uncover what happened in the “Killing Fields” by talking to the killers themselves, from the very top level to the grassroots. The Special Features videoconference is also stunning. With a study guide. 94 minutes.
  • Languages: English, Khmer, French, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Italian, Japanese, Thai, Korean, Traditional Chinese
  •             Website: http://enemiesofthepeoplemovie.com/
  •             Cost: $25
  • You can buy or rent also on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOzivu6G0GM

Fambul Tok

A Force More Powerful 

  • A 6-part documentary about nonviolent struggle. The 6 shorter sections are about Gandhi’s Salt March, the U.S. Civil Rights Movement in Nashville, the anti-apartheid struggle in Port Elizabeth South Africa, Denmark against the Nazis in World War II, Solidary in Poland, and bringing down Pinochet in Chile. 174 minutes.
  • Languages: English, Arabic, Burmese, Farsi, French, Hebrew, Indonesia, Italian, Mandarin, Nepali, Russian, Spanish, Vietnamese.  (Some episodes in various languages are available on YouTube.)
  •             Website: http://www.aforcemorepowerful.org/films/index.php
  •             Cost: $39.95 (You can ask for free copies of the film—they sometimes give them out, so specify that you are from another country.)
  • Now available on YouTube, Part 1 with Gandhi/India (the Salt March), the U.S. Civil Rights Movement (Nashville), and South Africa (Port Elizabeth):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpBoHb59iVY
  • YouTube, Part 2 with Denmark, Poland, and Chile:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cM695veBSUU

The Imam & the Pastor

  • Set in northern Nigeria this film tells the story of reconciliation between a Muslim imam and Christian pastor who had led militias in inter-religious fighting. Now they work at reconciliation in the region through their Interfaith Mediation Centre. A follow-up documentary An African Answer follows Pastor Wuye and Imam Ashafa in their mediation work in Kenya. 39 minutes.
  • Languages: English, German, Dutch, Swahili, Arabic, French, Swedish
  •             Website: http://www.iofc.org/imam-pastor
  •             Cost: 13 British Pounds
  • Available for viewing on-line:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFh85K4NFv0
  • Also available at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFh85K4NFv0&t=1181s

Little Town of Bethlehem

  • A film about nonviolence related to the conflict in Israel and Palestine focusing on an Israeli Jew and a Palestinian Muslim and a Palestinian Christian. 77 minutes.
  •             Website: http://littletownofbethlehem.org/
  •             Cost: $19.95

Monseñor: The Last Journey of Óscar Romero

About the ministry of Romero from the time he became archbishop until his assassination in 1980.  As El Salvador descended into civil war, Romero was a persistent and bold prophet of peace and justice for the poor.  Mostly Spanish audio with English subtitles and occasional short English narration.

Available at:  https://www.amazon.com.

Cost:  $14.72

YouTube Excerpt:  View here

The Orange Revolution

Pray the Devil Back to Hell

  • About the praying Christian and Muslim women who ended the civil war in                   Liberia. Featuring Nobel Peace Prize laureate Leymah Gbowee. 72 minutes.
  • Languages: English, French, Spanish
  •              Website: http://www.praythedevilbacktohell.com/
  •              Cost: $24.95; $44.95 with French or Spanish subtitles

Republic of Georgia: Finding the Voice

Sharing an Island

  • About 6 Cypriot young adults—3 Christian Greek Cypriots and 3 Muslim Turkish Cypriots—who live together for 5 days. They visit sites on both sides of the island and talk about the war that divided their land and the possibilities of reconciliation.
  •              Available on the internet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7Fc5F08ZPI

The Singing Revolution

Taking Root

  • About Wangari Maathai, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate active in environmental, human rights, and democracy struggles in Kenya. 80 minutes.
  • Languages: English, with versions in 1) Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole; 2) French, Arabic, Kiswahili; 3) Indonesian, Chinese, Russian; 4) Vietnamese, Bangla, Hindi
  •             Website: http://takingrootfilm.com/
  •             Cost: $29.95
  • Now on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3My-B4NtOI

TED Talk—Anand Giridharada, A Tale of Two Americas and the Minimart Where      They Collided.

TED Talk–William Ury, Conflict Negotiation.

In this 19-minute TED Talk Ury speaks about the “third side” in negotiations, those who can support peace processes and negotiations.

Available on-line:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xCkhV7zhuw&sns=em

Two-Sided Story

  • From The Parents Circle—Families Forum, bringing together Israelis and Palestinians who lost loved ones in the conflict. The film follows a series of dialog sessions that reveals the challenges and possibilities for reconciliation.
  • Languages: English, Arabic, Hebrew
  •              Cost: $25 (order from Winona Rennick, Program & Outreach Manager, America Friends of the Parents Circle—Families Forum:  winona.rennick@gmail.com)