Rogers State University’s International Student Union is hosting a screening of “Invisible Children: The Rough Cut,” a documentary about one of Africa’s longest wars at 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 29 in the Student Union.
Hors d’oeuvres will be served and there will be a discussion after the film.
For more than 20 years the Lord Resistance Army and the Ugandan government have been waging a war that has displaced two million innocent civilians. Currently, these civilians are living in refugee camps and while they desire to return to their former ways of life, issues surrounding their return are complex, said Dr. Juliet Evusa, assistant professor of Communications and adviser to the RSU International Student Union. The search for clean water, economic opportunities, health centers, and education has forced many of these refugees to commute to other cities at night.
To address the plight of child soldiers and night commuters, the documentary was filmed in 2003 when three young men from southern California—Jason Russell, Bobby Bailey, and Laren Paul—chronicled their experiences as young American’s learning firsthand about a conflict largely unknown to the international community, Evusa said.
In the film’s press kit, the filmmakers describe the documentary as a film which “exposes the effects of a 20-year-long war on the children of Northern Uganda. Children who live in fear of abduction by rebel soldiers, and are being forced to fight as part of a violent army. This wonderfully reckless documentary is fast paced, with an MTV beat, and is truly unique. To see Africa through young eyes is humorous and heart breaking, quick and informative – all in the same breath.”
In addition, these young men went on to start Invisible Children Inc. an awareness and development organization that according to the organization’s web site strives to “improve the quality of life for war-affected children, by providing access to quality education, enhanced learning environments and innovative economic opportunities for the community.”
Evusa said the RSU International Student Union is showing the film and facilitating a discussion in an effort to educate the community about the plight of children of northern Uganda.
The event is free and open to the public. Reservations are requested, but not required. To RSVP or for more information call 343-7677 email [email protected].