2008 Woodie Awards
Shining the light on "Invisible Children"
James Friebe
Issue date: 3/11/08 Section: Arts and Entertainment
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Sounds like something out of a movie, right? Well, it's actually the truth; and the documentary "Invisible Children" brings this shocking reality to our doorsteps.
Sonoma State University had it's own screening of the film Fri., Mar. 7, in the Student Union. The screening itself was accompanied by a presentation from the Invisible Children Club on campus, detailing the specifics of the current struggle in Uganda.
The film itself follows three Americans: Bobby, Jason and Lauren and their trip to Sudan in order to document conflict raging over there.
Soon after their arrival into Sudan, the trio realizes that all the citizens in southern Sudan have evacuated into northern Uganda.
Arriving in the town of Gulu, Uganda, their contact informs the three of a story that they should indeed cover. The filmmakers go to the bus park at night. And they journey to find something that would change their lives forever.
Upon arrival, the three find that the entire park is filled with young children, with only one adult-a man in uniform with an AK-47 strapped to his back.
As it turns out, children are the prime targets of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), a rebel militia fighting to overthrow Uganda's government.
They kidnap children from their homes, giving the argument that children (ages 8-14) are large enough to carry a gun, and can be easily brainwashed.
Entire families have uprooted themselves from their homes, and continue to travel south, occupying any space they can to spend a night in shelter.
Abandoned hospitals, parking garages, warehouses, nothing is too low for these Night Commuters.
As in all instances of pure survival, the children have formed a semi-community within themselves.
Older, larger children, have become more aggressive and authoritative figures. Many have started engaging in early sexual behavior, girls using their bodies to gain favors within the community.
On the whole, these children have known nothing but fear and war, and have shown within their play behavior. Hide and seek has become known as "Government vs. Rebels", much more violent game.
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