About this teaser: A friendship forged by war. A war that tore them apart. Two child soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo are faced with a choice to wield peace instead of the gun.
THE INJUSTICE // CHILD SOLDIERS:
The Democratic Republic of Congo has seen the deadliest crisis in the world since WWII. Over 5.4 million people have lost their lives to war. And the ones who are fighting on the front lines of this conflict are children. Thousands of child soldiers have been forcefully recruited, abducted and coerced into joining various rebel groups to fight for peace that continues to escape the ones who want it most.
/ THE PURPOSE:
DTJ believes child soldiers are more than tools of war; they are potential catalysts for peace. DTJ is committed to seeing the end of the use of children in armed conflict in DRC and to use story as a vehicle for education and advocacy.
/ INVESTIGATIVE STATUS
Documentary Film in Post-Production. Production finished November, 2010. Rough cut expected Spring 2012.
/ The FILM
DTJ spent four years following the lives of two child soldiers in the DRC. The feature documentary tells the story of their friendship and their pursuit of peace amidst a landscape of violence.
/ INITIATIVES:
DTJ is initiating the following projects to amplify the voices of the children in the midst of this crisis.
/ MOBILE CINEMA:
DTJ will begin a pilot project screening short films in LRA affected NE DRC to reduce stigma against returning LRA child soldiers and mitigate reprisal violence, contributing to increasing peace and stability in the region. The pilot project will begin early 2012.
/ PAIX T’s:
There is a saying in eastern Congo: "qui veut la paix prepare la guerre" (who wants peace prepares for war).
Our Congolese friend Francois proclaims instead: "qui veut la mort prepare la guerre mais qui veut la paix offre le pardon" (who wants death prepares for war, but who wants peace offers forgiveness).
The PAIX Tshirt campaign is a simple strategy to spread the message of peace. Over 300 former child soldiers and children affected by war have already been given PAIX shirts. Our goal is 1,000.
Children should never be soldiers. Let peace take flight. Buy the PAIX shirt.
