War Dance

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.

San Francisco Chronicle Rachel Howard

Beautifully filmed.

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.

Christian Science Monitor Peter Rainer

The filmmaking style is annoyingly slick, but the testimonies of these children are excruciatingly moving.

Los Angeles Times Kenneth Turan

An enormously emotional and spirit-raising documentary.

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.

New York Daily News Elizabeth Weitzman

Overly polished, but deeply affecting, documentary.

Philadelphia Inquirer Carrie Rickey

Documents the emotional and spiritual journey of three orphans.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Hollywood Reporter Justin Lowe

A refreshingly upbeat film that finds its roots in some seriously sobering events.

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."

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.

New York Post Lou Lumenick

Even in support of the noblest of causes, manipulation is manipulation.

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.

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.

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.

Seattle Post-Intelligencer Bill White

Exploitive while it pretends to be empathetic.