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Faces in a Famine
| Length: | 51 min |
| Released: | 1985 |
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The three-year drought in Ethiopia in the 1980’s caused a famine of biblical proportions that lasted for years. This is a study of the relief workers from the Western world and their quiet heroism in coping with overwhelming human misery. Despite the huge number of victims, they still formed attachments on a personal level, and grieved over the inevitable deaths.
The film succeeds in transforming the media images of starving masses into identifiable individuals. Images stay with us, such as a mother tending her weakened baby, or a starving teenage boy still eager to play. We also see the efforts of Ethiopians helping their fellow countrymen.
The filmmaker has captured some of the bizarre aspects of the tragedy.
He shows us the “disaster groupies” who come for a variety of personal reasons. They mean to help, but lack the skills to be useful. With hunger a recurring reality, this film will help people understand the cataclysm.
The film succeeds in transforming the media images of starving masses into identifiable individuals. Images stay with us, such as a mother tending her weakened baby, or a starving teenage boy still eager to play. We also see the efforts of Ethiopians helping their fellow countrymen.
The filmmaker has captured some of the bizarre aspects of the tragedy.
He shows us the “disaster groupies” who come for a variety of personal reasons. They mean to help, but lack the skills to be useful. With hunger a recurring reality, this film will help people understand the cataclysm.
“Recommended.”
-- Landers Film Reviews
“…guaranteed to leave no viewer unmoved or unshaken.”
-- Booklist
-- Landers Film Reviews
“…guaranteed to leave no viewer unmoved or unshaken.”
-- Booklist
Booklist, Editor’s Choice, 1987
Athens International Film Festival, 1986
National Educational Film Festival, 1986
CINE Gold Eagle, 1985
Athens International Film Festival, 1986
National Educational Film Festival, 1986
CINE Gold Eagle, 1985
