Theatre of Violence

Theatre of Violence follows Dominic Ongwen, a former child soldier who became the first to be indicted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes. The documentary offers a thought-provoking perspective on restorative justice and the effectiveness of the ICC.

Awards

CPH:DOX (2023) – Nominated: POLITIKEN:DOX Award

CPH:DOX (2023) – Nominated: DOX:AWARD

DocAviv Film Festival (2023) – Nominated: Best International Film

Docville (2023) – Nominated: Jury Award: Best Topics Documentary

Munich International Documentary Festival (DOK.fest) (2023) – Winner: Viktor Award: DOK.international

One World Int'lHuman Rights Doc FF (2023) – Nominated: Best Film Award: International Competition

The Hague Movies that Matter Festival (2023) – Nominated: Camera Justitia Award

The Hague Movies that Matter Festival (2023) – Winner: Grand Jury Documentary Award: Best Documentary

Feature
International
African Premiere
SA Premiere

Director(s):

Lukasz Konopa & Emil Langbelle

Country:

Denmark | Germany | Uganda

Year:

2022

Running Time:

106 min

Language(s):

English, Swahili, Luo

Theatre of Violence is a gripping documentary that follows the life of Dominic Ongwen, a former child soldier who was forcibly recruited into Joseph Kony’s army at just nine years old. Decades later, Ongwen became the first former child soldier to be indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes. The film offers a thought-provoking perspective on the events from both the ICC’s perspective in The Hague and the Northern Uganda region, where restorative justice is practised. It raises pertinent questions about the effectiveness of the ICC and whether it is a tool for recolonization by the West. Additionally, it addresses why the Ugandan government, led by Yoweri Museveni, has not been held accountable for their crimes. Through powerful storytelling and expert analysis, Theatre of Violence encourages viewers to confront difficult truths about the ongoing impact of war and conflict on individuals and societies and the limitations of the international justice system in addressing these issues

Courtesy of the Danish Film Institute

Guests

Panel Moderator: Eshed Cohen

Producer: Helle Faber

Panellist: Hugh Corder

Panellist: Isabel Goodman

Panellist: Kaajal Ramjathan-Keogh

Panel Moderator: Karabo van Heerden

Co-Director: Lukasz Konopa

Panellist: Naefa Khan

Panel Moderator: Neil Brandt

Panellist: Nicole Fritz

Panellist: Odette Geldenhuys

Previous Festivals

Hot Docs (2023)

Human Rights Watch Film Festival London (2023)

Visions du Reel (2023)