War Child

PG-13

Released Nov 14, 2008

1h 34m

Documentary

List

50%

Tomatometer

6 Reviews

79%

Audience Score

100+ Ratings

Star Emmanuel Jal returns to Sudan where he served as a child soldier.

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Aaron Hillis

Village Voice

An uplifting journey weighed down by dry, humdrum convention (attack of the talking heads!); this is social-studies homework, not nourishment for the soul.

Nov 19, 2008

Full Review

Neil Genzlinger

New York Times

War Child, a documentary about the hip-hop artist Emmanuel Jal, is a bit ragged and repetitive, but certainly this young man's life is amazing proof that one person really can make a difference.

Rated: 3/5

Nov 14, 2008

Full Review

Ian Buckwalter

DCist

We know that Jal was a child soldier, but we get no background on the practice, and there is a surprising lack of outrage or passion of any sort in all but one of the commentators who provide analysis.

Rated: 3.5/10

Jun 12, 2010

Full Review

Sonny Bunch

Washington Times

A more linear, shorter narrative that featured a few less musical interludes by Mr. Jal would have improved this documentary considerably.

Rated: 2.5/4

Aug 30, 2009

Full Review

Amber Wilkinson

Eye for Film

The content and the editing of this documentary are sharp... Poignant and a call to action.

Rated: 3.5/5

Jul 4, 2009

Full Review

Tricia Olszewski

Washington City Paper

War Child, like Jal's music, is nearly critic-proof: Its noble intentions and horrific subject matter insist that you pay attention and then gush about how inspiring it is.

Dec 6, 2008

Full Review

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Audience Member

A moving documentary that provides insight on the horrific problems in Sudan as told by a former child soldier, now music artist. Through old and new footage as well as his music, Emmanuel Jal recounts his story and his return home to see his family.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Good simple insight and overview into the political scene in Sudan. I love Emmanuel Jal, and it was wonderful to hear more of his story. Beautiful example of forgiveness & redemption.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/05/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Though Jal is a very meaningful person and his story is so thoughtful, the film stays as a too self-promotional sense, and I really want to "kill" that director who ruined the whole story, which sold his message of "US is everything"!!! > <"

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A well-shot documentary, the editing is persecuted well. A powerful movie and this is the first time i can get to know the first-person view from a former child soldier. While watching the movie I didn't feel self-promotional at all, instead i was thinking how touching it is that he's willing to share his traumatic experience with us.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Very well documented! It's touching and moving. You will feel what it is like without peace and human rights! If you are a human, then you will definitely shed tears. Besides, his strong music tells stories of voiceless.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/20/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A very inspiring film that is also very well shot, it will keep you glued to the screen throughout. It gives a history of a conflict, but instead of faceless statistic, focuses on one young man's story, making it so much easier to relate to. War child is definitely worth seeing. Two thumbs up.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/25/23

Full Review

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Christian Karim Chrobog

Director

Emmanuel Jal

Actor

Gabrielle Allen

Executive Producer

Roshanak Ameli-Tehrani

Executive Producer

Afshin Molavi

Producer

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Synopsis

Star Emmanuel Jal returns to Sudan where he served as a child soldier.

Director: Christian Karim Chrobog
Producer: Afshin Molavi
Distributor: Reelu Films
Production Co: Interface Media Group
Rating: PG-13 (Images Involving War|Thematic Material|Related Atrocities)
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 14, 2008, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 22, 2016
Runtime: 1h 34m

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