An inspiring documentary film about nation-building in South Sudan: Help us build a nation. *What are we asking you to support?*
*"Our culture and identity is what we fought for. That is what our comrades who died fought for. So please don't forget, governments, when you steal and squander public money you are destroying the very cause we fought for. >From now on, I want the government to understand that the way out for South Sudanese people,to bring the different tribes together, is culture. Is Art!"* Derik Uya Alfred, Co-Director Our fledgling country, South Sudan, is again at war because we tried to build a state but did not build a nation - 50 years of bitter conflict divide our people; tribe against tribe, family against family. But our theatre company, the South Sudan Theatre Company - a diverse group of South Sudanese from many tribes, backgrounds and cultures - offers another way. We are proof that if South Sudanese work together, we can reconcile our past, build peace and win the respect of the world. In 2012, we translated Shakespeare's 'Cymbeline' and performed it in South Sudan and at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London. Together we represented our nation - mixing our many cultures in a dramatic exploration of reconciliation - and we won amazing reviews. They said it could never be done. Together, we battled the forces of tribalism and corruption that have brought South Sudan to its knees and we achieved the impossible. And now, in the midst of renewed civil war, we are using theatre to help our brothers overcome the past. And we filmed it all with the help of friends and film funding from CBA WorldView. But we need one more filming visit to complete our story and share our message. Help us build a nation. *"Literature and culture are war fronts. Because the challenge of representing a nation is not an easy matter",* Joseph Abuk, Director, South Sudan Theatre Company/Organisation *"The challenges the Republic of South Sudan face are enormous, but the people are optimistic and they are resilient. The South Sudan Theatre Company proudly show that building peace and reconciliation across the divides is their aim."* Baroness Glenys Kinnock, House of Lords, Supporter of South Sudan Theatre Company *Why is it important to make this film?* Today, South Sudan's people face a new civil war with strong ethnic overtones. But our film will show that the cycle of violence can stop, and that there is another way. South Sudan is more than flies and famine. We are engineers, teachers and lawyers. We are poets, writers and dramatists. Our cultures and history too often divides us - but this film shows that if we work through our past and respect our joint future, we will have the country that we deserve. Through our story, the international community will also better understand the challenges in South Sudan and possible solutions. We also embark on an incredible cultural adventure, taking Shakespeare where he has has never been before. And let's not forget, this film will bring joy and laughter and hope to so many, both here and around the world. After all, this is what makes life worth living. What will the film look like? We will make: · A feature film for mass dissemination; from international film festivals to touring mobile cinemas around South Sudan; · A 20-minute film for broadcast, to accompany speaking events in South Sudan and for our friends to use around the world; · We will also produce a larger number of short clips, which capture particular messages, and we will disseminate them using social media and mobile phones and for advocacy around the world. How will people see the film? We want our fellow citizens in South Sudan to see this film: · At cultural centres in South Sudan · Via mobile cinema to the towns and villages of the country · On South Sudan TV and Citizen TV · We have already talked to institutions like the National Reconciliation Commission, the South Sudan State Legislatures and the South Sudan Ministry of Education about ways we can make sure as many people see the film as possible. · Key excerpts will be shared via mobile marketing and social media · Dissemination to our diaspora organisations around the world. We want our friends around the world to see this film: · At universities, parliaments, UN offices around the world and through advocacy networks · At film festivals and via broadcast networks · Segments in the international press and news websites · Dissemination via social media. Why do we think this project will be a success? When we performed Cymbeline in Juba, our brothers and sisters from every part of the country wept together with joy and laughter. This film will enable us to take this shared experience to so many more people. Our people simply don't want war, but we do need a reason to reconcile and look forwards. We are confident that our story will be heard on the international stage. The South Sudan Theatre Company/Organisation's performance of Cymbeline received massive media coverage all around the world, including features in LA Times, the Guardian, Huffington Post, BBC, BBC Radio 4, PBS, CNN, Independent, All Africa, Sudan Tribune, Reuters, IPS Africa, IRIN... and many many more. What will we spend your money on? We want this film to be fit for the world stage - like South Sudanese really can be - and that is why we need your support. Here is a just a small slice of where you Kickstarter funds will go: - Shooting a final round of additional footage - Editing and organising the raw footage - Storyboarding - Color correction, Sound mixing, Final edit - Legal fees and soundtrack licensing Dissemination and marketing *Thank you so much for your support.* Risks and challengesLearn about accountability on Kickstarter<https://www.kickstarter.com/help/faq/kickstarter%20basics#Acco> The biggest challenge we face is funding the technical needs of making this amazing. And this is what we are raising funds for here. There is enough passion, sweat and tears among the South Sudan Theatre Company/Organisation and its support team around the world to make this happen. But we need this to be really good. For that we need this support. The project needs one more filming visit to tie the characters and story together. We are confident this will be possible but we will have to watch the situation carefully so that none of the actors or production team face any unnecessary risk to their safety. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "South Sudan Info - The Kob" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/SouthSudanKob. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/SouthSudanKob/CAJb14opoJisxww9LS7n2sgYUdPM006Ji79Dtzmco0MU2hK1TAg%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
