Watch Rebuilding Hope

Rebuilding Hope is a compelling and emotional documentary film that tells the story of three Sudanese refugees, Gabriel Bol Deng, Koor Garang, and Garang Mayuol, who were forced to flee their homeland during the Second Sudanese Civil War in the 1980s. The film follows their journey as they travel back to their villages in southern Sudan, which they had not seen in over 20 years, and try to rebuild their communities from scratch.

The film begins by introducing the three main characters, who are all living in the United States as refugees. Gabriel Bol Deng, who is the central figure of the film, fled Sudan when he was just a child and was resettled in the United States. Koor Garang and Garang Mayuol were both orphaned during the war and were resettled in the United States as well. Despite being separated by thousands of miles, the three men share a common bond and a desire to give back to their communities in Sudan.

After years of planning and fundraising, Gabriel, Koor, and Garang were finally able to make the journey back to southern Sudan in 2007. The film captures their emotional reunion with their families and friends, who they had not seen in over two decades. The footage of the villagers’ reactions to the return of the three men is incredibly moving, and it’s clear that their presence was a source of hope and inspiration to their communities.

However, the reality of the situation quickly sets in, and the three men realize that the road ahead will be filled with immense challenges. They find their villages in ruins, with no infrastructure or basic services such as clean water or healthcare. In one particularly heart-wrenching scene, Gabriel’s childhood home is nothing but a pile of rubble, and he breaks down in tears at the sight of it.

Despite the bleak situation, the three men remain determined to rebuild their communities. They start by digging wells and building schools, and their efforts soon attract the attention of other organizations and donors who want to help. The film shows how their work has a ripple effect, inspiring others to take action and bring positive change to the region.

Throughout the film, we also see how the three men’s personal journeys are intertwined with the larger political context of Sudan. The film touches on the historical roots of the conflict, which stems from deep-seated ethnic and religious divisions. The filmmakers also interview other Sudanese refugees who are still living in camps in neighboring countries, highlighting the ongoing human toll of the conflict.

Overall, Rebuilding Hope is a powerful and inspiring documentary that tells the story of resilience and hope in the face of incredible adversity. The film does an excellent job of balancing the personal stories of the three main characters with the larger political and historical context of the conflict in Sudan. It’s clear that the filmmakers have a deep respect and admiration for the communities that they are documenting, and the film is a testament to the enduring strength of the human spirit.

Rebuilding Hope is a 2009 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 18 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0.