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Films 2015 - Ethiopia - Sincerely - Ethiopia

Sincerely, Ethiopia

Director: Nathan Araya, 2013

Language: Language: English, subtitles

www.sincerelyethiopia.com

DESCRIPTION: Ethiopia is Africa’s oldest independent country and the continent’s second-most-populous nation. It is often depicted as a poverty-stricken, famine-saturated land crumbling from conflict. But to Ethiopian natives, the country is viewed in a more honest and uplifting light, one that exposes the people’s strong sense of pride and the land’s transcendent beauty often reflected in its rich culture.

Its breathtaking landscape is home to over 93 million people, many of whom face harsh realities, yet carry on with a sense of strength and courage.

While the challenges Ethiopia has faced (and still tackles) are well documented, the ability of its people to overcome hardships has often been overlooked – until now.

Filmmaker Nathan Araya has stepped in to fill that void with the documentary Sincerely, Ethiopia. Araya, a 28-year-old Ethiopian-American, set out to tackle the negative perceptions of his homeland by placing his film’s focus on a more positive portrayal of Ethiopian life and culture.

Araya banded together a group of friends who spent four years researching, fundraising, traveling, and documenting to create a film that tells Ethiopia’s fascinating story the way they thought best. The group focused on inspiring narratives of Ethiopians who have dedicated their lives to addressing the country’s ongoing challenges.

Viewers will meet Eden Gelan, the co-founder of the Beza Community Development Association (BCDA) – an organization that provides aid to those with HIV through medical support and counseling. They will be introduced to Yohannes Gebregeorgis, a public advocate for educational and literacy development among Ethiopia’s youth. Gebregeorgis is the founder of Ethiopia Reads and has been honored as a CNN Hero.

The documentary also tells the story of Biruktawit Tagesse, who works with vulnerable adolescent boys in Ethiopia to help them develop a strong sense of self-esteem and positive, creative imaginations.

Then there is Addisu’s tale as part of the Adugna Community Dance Theatre – which is regarded as the only modern, contemporary dance company in the nation. Addisu works at the theatre to welcome and train some of Ethiopia’s most extraordinary dancers. He teaches them to use their body motions and art to express their powerful take on a number of social injustices.

Viewers are left with a renewed sense of Ethiopia and the multi-talented people that compose its cultural fabric.

Synopsis abridged from Lilly Workneh: http://thegrio.com/2013/12/04/sincerely-ethiopia-new-documentary-unveils-inspiring-tales-from-ethiopia/

For a review see: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/samuel-getachew/sincerely-ethiopia_b_5008126.html