Please join us on Friday, November 20, 8pm at the Portage Theatre for the Chicago Premiere of ’Rebuilding Hope‘ a documentary about the Sudanese ‘Lost Boys’ and their quest to find surviving family-members and rediscover and contribute to their homeland; it also sheds light on what the future holds for South Sudan in its precarious struggle for peace, development and stability.

GES’s Sarah Freeman, a sophomore at Northwestern University and Co-Chair of the Media and Marketing team for the Summit, worked as a student producer on the film.  Freeman spoke to GES about the film.  Excepts:

How did you get involved with the film?

My involvement with the film initially stemmed from my genocide activist work, as a way to experiment with new media as a tool for education and advocacy for students. I attended a screening of Jen Marlowe’s prior film, Darfur Diaries, and after hearing her speak about her work abroad and her goals as a filmmaker I wanted to see how I could get more involved in the process of raising awareness through film.

What was your role on the film?

I served as a student producer for the documentary.  I transcribed some of her raw footage from Sudan, raised money for the film, helped organize its content, and am now trying to spread the word about the premiere as widely as possible.

How does the film relate to your studies and other interests?

The film aligns nicely with my study of the genocide in Darfur, a topic that I have researched independently for many years. What I love about the film, though, is that it focuses on the North-South Peace Conflict in Sudan; most people don’t realize that this conflict is completely separate from Darfur, so I’m glad it’s being brought to people’s attention.

How is film more effective over other mediums?

Film is one of the most effective ways to convey a message, especially to an audience that is not necessarily well versed in the lofty lingo associated with activism and social change. As an activist of sorts, I personally feel as though awareness and advocacy are the necessary first steps in any social change initiative; if you want people to care, they need to know there is a problem.

Why is awareness so important to you?

Working on this project solidified the importance of awareness, and is a constant reminder of why I am involved in so many social change organizations on this campus, especially GES. We all want to raise awareness, become aware ourselves, and do so in the most effective way possible. This film is just one (very good) example of that process at work. I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I do.