IDFA 2005
In a soldiers footstep
I soldatens fodspor
Mette Zeruneith
Denmark
2005
91 min
International Premiere
When he was 13, Steve was a child soldier in Uganda. Later, he fled to Denmark, where he now lives with his daughter and younger brother. His wife and son died in Uganda before they could flee. When he hears that his son, who was feared dead, is still alive and has in turn become a child soldier in Congo, Steve leaves for Uganda to bring him back, despite the great risks. This sparks off a series of mysterious incidents. Steve disappears, and in Copenhagen, the Danish crew shooting a film about him gets a visit from Ugandan government officials, who are not very pleased with the film, to say the least. They consider Steve a dangerous rebel leader who is taking everybody for a ride with his story about child soldiers. Steve's story and the state of affairs in Uganda are described in a mix of archival footage, interviews with involved parties, home video excerpts of Steve and his family, and reports by the film crew. What began as a personal portrait of a former child soldier develops into a documentary with thriller-like proportions. The film crew is torn between personal dramas, half-truths, manipulation and threats by the authorities; before long, nobody knows who to believe anymore.
Credits
World Sales
First Hand Films
First Hand Films
Screening copy
Danish Film Institute
Danish Film Institute
Director
Production
Involved TV Channel
DR Dokumentar,
YLE,
RUV
DR Dokumentar,
YLE,
RUV
Cinematography
Screenplay