HANDPICKED AT IFFI- ‘THE MERCY OF THE JUNGLE’

Director: Joel Karekezi

Cast- Mark Zinga, Stephane Bak

Sergeant Xavier (Marc Zinga) and new recruit Private Faustin (Bak) are accidentally separated from their Rwandan battalion inside Congolese territory when it is called out suddenly on a nighttime raid. Both men now have to use their skills to survive in the jungle and avoid being captured by the Congolese army. Initially, sergeant Xavier is harsh toward private Faustin but a deep bond eventually develops between the two soldiers, especially when Faustin helps Xavier when he is suddenly gripped by malaria fever. Xavier is particularly haunted by the atrocities he has both witnessed and committed while Faustin is motivated by the murder of his family and a young wife he wishes to see again.

There are many movies such as Blood Diaomond, Hotel Rwanda, Black Hawk Down etc which are successful in capturing the civil unrest in African countries. This film too is successful in showing the horrors of the war and unrest in this part of Africa. There is a very important dialogue in the movie that says- “No matter who fights, it is the population which loses.”

Well, if you are a person who likes watching films that makes us aware of how things are in certain parts of the world then this movie is a must watch for you.