The Diary of Immaculee
Academy Award nominated documentarians Peter Le Donne and Steve Kalafer (Curtain Call, Sister Rose's Passion, Bottom of the Ninth) co-helm the 38-minute nonfiction work The Diary of Immacul e. The picture recounts the harrowing yet reaffirming journey taken by Immacul e Ilibagiza during the Rwandan genocide. In spring 1994, Ilibagiza family lived more or less at peace in the province of Kibuye - until Hutu extremists fired missiles at a plane piloted by Rwandan president Juvenal Habyarimana, and subsequently pulled the nation into an undying nightmare. A wave of repercussive killings hit Rwanda, systematically annihilating Ilibagiza's family and millions of others, often in sporting arenas and houses of worship. Shuttled to the home of an Episcopalian minister, Immacul e and several other girls were forced to hide in a dingy bathroom for three months, when one torrent of guards after another invaded the building, searching for people to kill - but never thought to enter the restroom. During this time, Ilibagiza prayed continuously, and Christ appeared to her in her dreams, reassuring her that she would be the only one in her family to emerge alive. She indeed survived, and later immigrated to the United States, where she now works in the UN development program. In recounting Ilibaziga's astonishing story, Le Donne Kalafer film interviews with Ilibagiza and with her protectors, including the Episcopalian minister and others who assisted in sheltering her. What emerges is an inspirational portrait of undying hope and faith amid earth-shattering turmoil. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi