Des réfugiés de guerre de Sierra Léone forment un groupe de musique Afro-pop et exprime l’espoir et la perte de leurs proches.


Un film de Zach Niles et Banker White, 2005
Production: Zach Niles et Banker White – États-Unis
2005, 1h18 min, Couleur

SIERRA LEONE’S REFUGEE ALL STARS tells the lifeaffirming story of six Sierra Leonean musicians who form a band while living as refugees in the Republic of Guinea. Forced from their homes by a brutal, decade long civil war, the band members’ stories represent the plight of thousands of West African survivors who lost loved ones and were left with physical and emotional scars. Through their music, the All Stars find a place of refuge, recover a sense of purpose, and regain their source of power.



The civil war in the West African nation of Sierra Leone displaced hundreds of thousands of people from 1991 to 2002. Most found themselves in refugee camps in neighboring Guinea, many without any knowledge of the fates of their families and friends. Seeking a way to rebuild relationships and express the varied emotions engendered by the war and devastation, several Sierra Leoneans form an Afro-pop band called the Refugee All-Stars. Their songs of hope and loss bring solace to their countrymen. Their music may pave a way for the band members to survive in the post-civil war landscape of their homeland. An infectious score and compelling personal stories suffuse this look at a band of survivors determined to use music to establish a new community. – JH (www.fullframefest.org)


USA – 2005, 80 min.
Directed by Zach Niles and Banker White. Produced by Zach Niles and Banker White.

USA, 2005, 78 min, Color, Beta SP
In English, Krio with English subtitles
World Premiere at AFI Festival (Los Angeles, Nov. 3-13, 2005).




DIRECTORS: Banker White, Zach Niles
Screenwriters: Zach Niles, Banker White, Jim Bruce

CAST: Abdul Rahim Kamara, Alhaji Jeffrey Kamara, Efuah Grace Ampomah, Francis John Langba, Mohamed Bangura, Reuben Koroma

PRODUCERS: Banker White, Zach Niles
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Ice Cube, Matt Alvarez, Shelley Lazar, Steve Bing
CINEMATOGRAPHERS: Andy Mitchell, Banker White, Chris Jenkins, Mattito Watson
COMPOSERS: Chris Velan, Reuben Koroma, The Refugee All Stars
EDITORS: Jim Bruce, Banker White



2006 | CDS (Center for Documentary Studies) | Duke University | DURHAM, USA | http://cds.aas.duke.edu/cdsfa/index.html
> CDS Filmmaker Award


2006 | MIFF – Miami International Film Festival | MIAMI, USA | www.miamifilmfestival.com |
> Audience Favorite award


2005 | 19th AFI Festival | LOS ANGELES, USA | November 3-13, 2005 | www.afi.com/onscreen/afifest/2005/
> Grand Jury Award for Best Documentary

2006 | 13rd SXSW Film Festival |South by Southwest Music and Media Conference (SXSW) | March 10-19 2006 | AUSTIN (Texas), USA | http://2006.sxsw.com |
>Audience Awards (24 BEATS PER SECOND)
Winner – Air Guitar Nation Dir. Alexandra Lipsitz
Runner Up – The Refugee All Stars Dir. Zach Niles & Banker White


2006 | Full Frame Documentary Film Festival | http://www.fullframefest.org/archive/2006festival.php
> Audience Award (JVC GY-HD100U high-definition camcorder. Sponsored by JVC)