Darfur Now

DARFUR NOW is a story of hope in the midst of one of humanity's darkest hours – a call to action for people everywhere to end the catastrophe unfolding in Darfur, Sudan. In this documentary, the struggles and achievements of six different individuals from inside Darfur and around the world bring to light the tragedy in Sudan and show how the actions of one person can make a difference to millions.

At 24 years old, Adam Sterling is just of one of many young people involved in the fight to help the people of Darfur. A UCLA student whose Jewish grandmother fled Nazi Germany, Adam learned about the situation in Darfur and felt he had to do something. Despite his youth and inexperience in the political arena, he works to get a bill passed that will keep California’s State funds out of Sudan. Amazingly, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signs the bill.

Luis Moreno-Ocampo, Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court in The Hague, dreams of achieving justice for the people of Darfur. At the request of the United Nations Security Council, he launches investigations into the complex and horrifying crimes in Darfur and manages to secure arrest warrants against a top Sudanese official and one of the leaders of the Janjaweed militias. From his position on the world stage, he relentlessly pursues the perpetrators of the worst crimes in Darfur.

Academy Award-nominated actor Don Cheadle first learned about the situation in Darfur while working on Hotel Rwanda, a film that dramatized the Rwandan genocide. Don was inspired to travel to Darfur and use his celebrity to shine a light on the catastrophe unfolding in Darfur. In Darfur Now Don travels the world, along with fellow actor George Clooney, to pressure government officials and world leaders to act. He also uses his book, Not On Our Watch, as a vehicle to meet people face to face to show them the steps they can take to get involved.

Once a respected builder and farmer in a Darfur village, Ahmed Mohammed Abakar fled his home and now resides in Hamadea camp with 47,000 other internally displaced Darfurians. Asked to lead the people of Hamadea, he is charged with holding his community together, navigating the complex world of international aid agencies, and protecting the camp from hostile local authorities, corruption, and the threat of attack by militias. Sheikh Ahmed dreams of someday returning to his home.

Raised by socially aware and politically committed parents in Ecuador, Pablo Recalde is a man dedicated to improving the lives of the most vulnerable people on the planet. Horrified by the conditions in Darfur, he left his wife and children to work in one of the world’s most dangerous places. Leader of the World Food Program team in West Darfur, he mobilizes massive convoys to deliver food to the suffering people of the region. Amid shootings, high-jackings, terrorist threats, and an ongoing civil war, Pablo is driven to end the suffering he sees around him.

Hejewa Adam had been a mother who dreamt of going back to school until her West Darfur village was attacked and destroyed by Janjaweed militias and government forces. When she fled, her three-month-old son was beaten to death as he clung to her back. She faces two choices – abandon her home forever or join the rebels to bring justice and peace back to Sudan. Determined to help defend the Fur people of Western Darfur, Hejewa joins the rebels.

In addition to these six people, the film also features His Excellency Abldalmahmood Abdalhaleem Mohamad, Sudan’s Ambassador to the United Nations in New York. A career diplomat, His Excellency articulates Sudan’s position on the Darfur crisis from the perspective of a government that feels it has not been fairly characterized by the world’s media.

The struggles of each these individuals outlines a different facet of the ongoing crisis in Darfur – but they all point to the need for immediate action. Each story is an inspiration for ordinary individuals to become involved to resolve the conflict and bring hope and peace to the people of Darfur.

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Release Dates:
@Theaters: November 2, 2007
@DVD/Video:
Genre: Documentary, Politics and Religion
Running Time: 99 min.
Distributor: Warner Independent Pictures
Tagline: Six Stories. One Hope.
MPAA Rating: PG for thematic material involving crimes against humanity.

Director:
Ted Braun

Writer(s):
Ted Braun - Screenplay

Producer(s):
Diane Weyermann - Executive Producer
Matthew Palmieri - Executive Producer
Jeff Skoll - Executive Producer
Mark Jonathan Harris - Producer
Don Cheadle - Producer
Cathy Schulman - Producer
Lenore Zerman - Co-Producer

Movie Casts:
George Clooney
Ahmed Mahammed Abaka
Sheikh Ahmed Mohamad Abakar
Hawa Abaker
Hejewa Adam
Kalatumh Adam
Xabier Aguirre
Sam Brownback
Don Cheadle
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Essa Faal
Vanessa Haas
Nimeri Issa
Asha Abdal Khaleeq
Béatrice Le Fraper du Hellen
John McCain
Jason Miller
Abdalmahmood Abdalhaleem Mohamad
Luis Moreno-Ocampo
Adebowale Omofade
John Prendergast
Pablo Recalde
Hawa Saleman
Musa Sharif
Adam Sterling
Dana Sterling
Wayne Sterling
James Sweeney
Jennifer Trone