WITNESS Screening: Between Two Fires

Human Rights Focus (HURIFO) and WITNESS have collaborated on a video advocacy campaign to address the issue of torture and other cruel and degrading punishment committed against the IDP communities of Northern Uganda. Between Two Fires uses the personal stories of torture survivors to advocate for official acknowledgement of these abuses, redress for torture victims, and implementation of legislative measures to strengthen national mechanisms against the use of torture.

Following the presentation of Between Two Fires, the film Journey Into Sunset will be screened. Journey tells the story of the Ugandan “night commuters,” children forced to flee their homes on a nightly basis to avoid being kidnapped, dragged into the bush, and ultimately forced to fight against the Ugandan government for the rebel Lords Resistance Army. In May of last year, Academy Award nominated actor Don Cheadle and his family were invited to Kampala, Uganda to attend a charity screening of the film Hotel Rwanda in an effort to raise money for the children. Don and family left the Ugandan capital and traveled 5 hours up-country to the town of Gulu to see for themselves how these kids and their families are forced to live. The “night commuter” story is one that remains – like so many other tragedies in Africa – largely unreported to the outside world.

At the conclusion of both films, there is a panel discussion. The panel discussion is followed by an opening reception for an exhibit of photographs of displaced Ugandans by Ethan Rafal, on display in the Culture Project lobby.

Between Two Fires and Journey Into Sunset are presented as part of the Impact Festival.