InterHealth team inspired by new film Africa United

22 October 2010

Find out what our staff thought of a new film that looks at Africa in a fresh and positive way...

What are the first words you think of when you think of Africa? Poverty, genocide, HIV? Or are they fun, creativity, or optimism? For most, it is the former.

Some of you who use our services will be working in tough environments in Africa and places alike where intense suffering can sometimes mask other good qualities of life there.

A new film out this month tackles issues important to Africa and to InterHealth and our service users – AIDS, child prostitution, child soldiers – but puts them in the larger context of a child’s life.

When three of our staff went to the preview of Africa United, they saw how it tackled matters relevant to InterHealth and the work we support. Strengthening poor communities to respond effectively to health issues such as HIV is central to InterHealth’s affiliate group Affirm.

One of our doctors and leader of the Affirm group, Dr Ian Campbell, noticed that the film provokes NGO’s and UN organisations to re-examine their attitudes and practice. A playful yet intentional comment from one of the characters Dudu, on how to obtain condoms and how to make money from receiving them is really a word about the need for change in organisational approach.

About the film

From the same distributors who gave us Slumdog Millionaire, Africa United is about 5 African children who journey 3000 miles to get to the 2010 South African World Cup. Using the idea of a journey, the makers of the film were determined to show the positive determination of the children and encourage the idea that a person should not be defined just by how they have suffered.

The characters come from very different backgrounds, ranging from a middle-class footballer protégé to a teenage sex worker, all fictional stories based on real life experiences the makers encountered during their research.

Giving insight into the lives of those who many of you are working to help, the film reflects on the ideas of community, positive thinking and determination, synonymous with InterHealth’s approach.

In fitting with the ethos of the film, which is in cinemas on October 22, 25% of the profits made will be going to Comic Relief to help with their work in Africa.

Show your support

Help support and spread the word about Africa United to your friends and colleagues by retweeting our twitter post. Or just tell your friends in anyway you can and help raise the profile of this film and money for Comic Relief.

Visit the film’s website here www.africaunitedmovie.com

Click on the picture below to download free resources containing more information about the movie.

More reviews

The Daily Telegraph:

"Heartwarming...a road movie with a difference. Africa United aims to reframe what we thinkg about Africa."

Guardian:

"A film which discards the usual Hollywood stereotypes."