G 11-Adult
Andrea Torrice, Curt Goering
Comes with 100 page study guide
"Highly Recommended. This documentary is flawless in its summary history of Rwanda, bringing the viewer from the Belgian colonialist’s institution of ethnic division in Rwanda to the country’s genocidal conflict beginning in 1994. The film begins by posing the question, “Could this have been prevented?” I simply cannot give enough praise for this film. By its very format and sequential presentation of facts and events, the film begs for classroom discussion."
- Educational Media Reviews Online
"Recommended. In the spring of 1994, the world was 'shocked' by the genocidal killing in an African country that had hitherto attracted little global attention: Rwanda. While critics at the time dismissed the tragedy as 'tribal conflict,' the reality -- as this hard-hitting documentary makes abundantly clear -- was more complicated, though no less obvious. Combining interviews with local officials, social commentators, and Amnesty International representatives, along with archival and brutal contemporary footage, Forsaken Cries makes a convincing case that the warning signs were in place well before the actual slaughter transpired. Sure to stimulate class discussion, and accompanied by an extensive notebook-sized study guide, this is recommended."
- Video Librarian
Forsaken Cries incorporates historical footage of the colonial period, interviews with survivors and analyses of key issues including: international law; history of the Great Lakes region; failure of the international community, US policy and NGOs; the refugee crisis; women's human rights violations; and the war crimes tribunal.
This is a case study of the horrendous consequences of neglecting preventive diplomacy.
An information-packed 100-page binder, useful for both teachers and human rights activists, is included. It is divided into sections including: "Human Rights," "History Of Rwanda," "What is Genocide?," "World's Response," "Rape as a Weapon," "Refugee Crisis," "Arms Flows," "Struggle Against Impunity," "Classroom Activities," and "Resources."