In little known to many in the United States, the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) has been terrorizing northern Uganda for more than two decades, misplacing hundreds of thousands of Ugandans. In this war zone, the children are not just victims of the rebel insurgence– they become the rebels. The LRA employs a particularly effective way of keeping its ranks filled – abducting children.

War/Dance is the harrowing journey of three such children –Dominic, Rose, and Nancy, who now reside in a misplaced persons camp at Patongo. When the only school in the war-torn region is invited to participate in a national festival of music and dance, the children sign up.

The competition offers these children – families torn apart by unimaginable acts – the opportunity to reclaim at least a small part of their childhoods. They sing in protest. They dance with joy. For at least one moment, they rid themselves of fear and taste pride and victory. The emotional power of War/Dance will overthrow the cynic in you and you will believe in the ability of the human spirit to overcome tragedy, despite seemingly impossible odds. Wm. Brian Owens