Minding Shadows

Produced by Jenn Lindsay

Whatever you resist persists....

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Genre: Anthropology, Religion, Minorities, Contemporary Issues, and Personal Doc
Synopsis: LOGLINE
A 13-year-old survivor of the Rwandan genocide burns for revenge and turns to martial arts. Unexpectedly, he is transformed by the power of meditation and forgiveness, but his practice leads to a torturous imprisonment. Once released, stateless, his journey across borders leaves him awaiting asylum in Germany, where he becomes a teacher of mindfulness and resilience.
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This documentary film follows Oliver Biraro, a former Buddhist monk and survivor of the Rwandan genocide, as he travels through Africa and Europe seeking peace in a troubled world, fighting for asylum, and building a new life in Germany.

Filmed in Rwanda, Uganda, and throughout Europe, this is a story about universal questions:
How do we forgive those who have gravely wronged us?
How can we be free of our rage, regret and shame?
How can we become balanced individuals who are able to embrace all parts of our complicated pasts and inner turmoil?

This film follows a person who journeyed out of a profound darkness toward the light, a person who is far from perfect himself, who has learned to bring others with him on his journey. The film teaches that life is not perfect and neither are we—but that is no reason not to experience joy and to taste bliss.
Stage: in post-production
Running time: 86, 56 or 23 minutes