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War Dance
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 20 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 6 votes
Read user comments
Rate this movie >
Movie Info
Genre(s): Documentary
Written by:
Sean Fine
Andrea Nix
Directed by:
Sean Fine
Andrea Nix
Release Date:
Theatrical: November 9, 2007
DVD: April 15, 2008
Running Time: 105 minutes, Color
Origin: USA
Summary
RATING: PG-13 for some thematic material involving descriptions of war atrocities
Set in northern Uganda, a country ravaged by more than two decades of civil war, War/Dance tells the story of Dominic, Rose, and Nancy, three children whose families have been torn apart, their homes destroyed, and who currently reside in a displaced persons' camp in Patongo. When they are invited to compete in an annual music and dance festival, their historic journey to their nation's capital is also an opportunity to regain a part of their childhood and to taste victory for the first time in their lives. (ThinkFilm)
Also On The Web: Internet Movie Database
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
TV Guide Ken Fox
Documentary filmmakers Sean Fine and Andrea Nix Fine found an ingenious way to tell their story in a film that is as unflinching as it is uplifting.
Read Full Review >Boston Globe Ty Burr
This War/Dance is among the most affecting films I've seen all year; it cuts to the core of being and gives individual faces to sorrow and to hope.
Read Full Review >Christian Science Monitor Peter Rainer
The filmmaking style is annoyingly slick, but the testimonies of these children are excruciatingly moving.
Read Full Review >Los Angeles Times Kenneth Turan
An enormously emotional and spirit-raising documentary.
Read Full Review >Washington Post Ann Hornaday
This is documentary-making at its best, not pretending to be journalism, but still playing a crucial role in telling stories that otherwise wouldn't make the front page.
Read Full Review >New York Daily News Elizabeth Weitzman
Overly polished, but deeply affecting, documentary.
Read Full Review >Philadelphia Inquirer Carrie Rickey
Documents the emotional and spiritual journey of three orphans.
Read Full Review >The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Jennie Punter
This film offers a child's perspective on the ravages and complexity of war and is also a convincing testament to the healing power of creative expression.
Read Full Review >Chicago Reader J.R. Jones
Once the competition arrives, the premise begins to suggest a marketing hook--it's "Spellbound" meets "The Devil Came on Horseback"!--but by then it's already served its purpose, imposing some structure around memories that would drive anyone mad.
Read Full Review >The New York Times Stephen Holden
War/Dance, in spite of its slickness, is an honorable, sometimes inspiring exploration of the primal healing power of music and dance in an African tribal culture.
Read Full Review >New York Magazine David Edelstein
For these kids to sing and dance with all their hearts, they need to go to a place in themselves that should be closed down forever. The glories of War/Dance are torturously won, and all the more glorious for it.
Read Full Review >The Hollywood Reporter Justin Lowe
A refreshingly upbeat film that finds its roots in some seriously sobering events.
Read Full Review >Austin Chronicle Marc Savlov
"It's difficult for people to believe our story," says one kid, succinctly, eloquently, "but if we don't tell you, you won't know."
Read Full Review >Portland Oregonian Marc Mohan
Isn't meant to be a depressing experience, as each of these unfortunate souls recovers a sense of pride in themselves and their tribe through music.
Read Full Review >New York Post Lou Lumenick
Even in support of the noblest of causes, manipulation is manipulation.
Read Full Review >Salon.com Andrew O'Hehir
It's the film's reassuring, almost hypnotic visual rhythms, along with its Hollywood-like narrative structure -- which is closer to "Drumline" or "Bring It On" than to most documentaries -- that make it bearable.
Read Full Review >Variety John Anderson
While the pic may be targeting Westerners who want to feel less awful about genocide and global negligence, it's hard to imagine War Dance appealing to that crowd -- or any other.
Read Full Review >Village Voice Jim Ridley
The movie comes across as desperately, even irritatingly contrived, but I'd be lying if I didn't say it overcame my naturally complacent instincts--which would be to watch something (anything) else, to not get haunted by that closing litany of websites for global action.
Read Full Review >Seattle Post-Intelligencer Bill White
Exploitive while it pretends to be empathetic.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this movie is 8.8 (out of 10) based on 6 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Chad S. gave it an8:
Nancy is Ugandian. Her mother, too. The filmmakers are from the west. The two African women want to please their new "friends". Neither woman, nor child, understands that they have the right to stop the cameras from rolling, when grief overcomes them, in a place where no documentary film crew has the right to be, arguably. This depends on the circumstances behind the mother and daughter's return to the site of their slain loved one. Was it an organic move, or were the two women prompted to revisit the past for dramatic purposes? We're likely to believe the latter, because "War Dance", at times, feels staged, feels a little off. In their own words, the principal Ugandian victims tell their respective stories, while the camera seems to be exploring the commercial possibilities of a narrative film, as we get lovely close-ups of the African flora. "War Dance" overreaches with its poetic aspirations. It's too clever, by half. The camerawork suggests a walking tour into the heart of darkness. A subtle nod to the Joseph Conrad novel, perhaps, this literary reference is ironic because the oppressor have the same skin color as the oppressed. Despite the filmmaker's Terrence Malick-complex, despite the need to pump up the volume on the self-evident tragedy-of-it-all, there is the music and dance festival, which is the most thrilling spectacle of the human spirit you'll see all year. Unless you're dead, their performance will move you to tears.
Nicole T. gave it a10:
This is one of the most amazing films I've seen. I am appalled at the things happening in Uganda. Beautiful children.
J. B. gave it a9:
Honest, compelling story of how the human spirit can persevere and overcome even the most horrendous events imaginable. Exceptionally beautiful and buoyant without minimizing the tragedy. Can fill a viewer with great respect, admiration and love for these children.
Jim R. gave it an8:
Turan has it right. Emotional and spirit-lifting. It's not manipulative to have people tell stories of things that have happened to them. You will be increased by seeing this.
