I Am Because We Are
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| I Am Because We Are | |
|---|---|
 Nathan Rissman and Madonna at the film's premiere |
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| Directed by | Nathan Rissman |
| Produced by | Madonna |
| Written by | Madonna |
| Narrated by | Madonna |
| Distributed by | Semtex Films |
| Release date(s) | 2008 |
| Country | UK, USA, Malawi |
| Language | English |
| Official website | |
I Am Because We Are is a 2008 documentary directed by Nathan Rissman and written, narrated and produced by Madonna.
The film premiered at the 7th annual Tribeca Film Festival in New York, USA, on April 24, 2008 and at the 61st annual Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France on May 21, 2008, both of which were attended by Madonna.
The film will headline this year's Traverse City Film Festival, an event that's founded by Michael Moore. Madonna will visit Traverse City Aug. 2 to show the documentary. [1]
Moore said: "We are both honored and thrilled to welcome Madonna to Traverse City. I saw her film a month ago and was so deeply moved in a way that rarely happens with movies these days. I asked her immediately if she would come to our festival and she said, 'yes.' I have known her for years and she is truly one of the most caring and generous people I have met. Her presence here in Traverse City will have a profound impact on people." [2]
Contents |
[edit] Documentary
This movie documents the concern over the millions of orphans in the African country of Malawi who have lost parents and siblings to HIV and AIDS, many of whom live on the streets. The film also shows the efforts with Madonna's charitable organisation Raising Malawi in helping with improving their lives and conditions. [3]
Madonna said about the film: "To say that this film is a labor of love is trivial. It's also the journey of a lifetime. I hope you all are as inspired watching it as I was making it." [4]
The film is scheduled to be released in 2008 and was described by long-time friend Rosie O'Donnell as "devastating and amazing." [5] Both Madonna and O'Donnell attended a private screening on October 11, 2007.
[edit] Title
The title is derived from Desmond Tutu’s (famous Archbishop from Cape Town, South Africa) words. “Ubuntu” is an idea present in African spirituality that says “I am because we are” - or we are all connected, we cannot be ourselves without community, health and faith are always lived out among others, an individual’s well being is caught up in the well being of others. [6]
[edit] Reception
The movie received positive reviews. The Times, giving it 4 out of 5 stars, wrote: "This rich material makes for a completely absorbing film. Certain scenes, such as women and children literally dying of Aids in front of the camera, drew gasps from the shocked audience in the screening room at Cannes. It's impossible to tear your eyes away from the screen. Not that the film portrays Malawian people as innocent victims of circumstances beyond their control. Rissman doesn't shy away from the culture of drinking, crime and violence that is prevalent in the country. Together, he and Madonna have made a shocking and incredibly moving film that is much more than an extended Comic Relief appeal." [7]
The Guardian review said: "Madonna the documentary-maker came, saw and conquered the world's biggest film festival yesterday with a powerful polemic on the effects of disease and poverty on Malawi...The queen of reinvention presented her film, I Am Because We Are, which she wrote and produced, to general acclaim. Alongside her was her former gardener Nathan Rissman, who directed." [8]
[edit] External links
- The film's Official Site
- 2008 Tribeca Film Festival Guide
- Cannes Film Festival official website (French) (English)
- Official Site - Traverse City Film Festival
- The Raising Malawi Official Site
- I Am Because We Are at the Internet Movie Database
