Don’t Miss: Pushing the Elephant

Pushing the Elephant on PBS, Independent Lens – Tuesday, March 29

Nangabire and Rose

The scale of the in the Congo can make people into victims and victims into mere numbers. Pushing the Elephant a new documentary, released by Women Make Movies, puts a human face on the impact of the conflict.

The film tells the story of Rose Mapendo, who lost her family and home to the violence that engulfed the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the late 1990’s during the Second Congo War. The war was the largest in Africa and set the stage for the conflict that continues in Congo today.

Rose was imprisoned with nine of her ten children. Her then 5-year-old daughter, Nangabire, was with grandparents when the rest of her family was arrested and was subsequently left behind when the others were finally able to escape to America. Resettled in Arizona, Rose has become a powerful advocate for refugees and newly arrived immigrants, as well as a prominent voice for reconciliation within DRC; between Hutus, Tutsi’s and Congolese. Her heart is still very much with those who did not get the opportunities she’s had; it is still very much with her daughter.

Pushing the Elephant reunites Rose and Nangagbire in the US where they must overcome their fractured past. Thirteen years have passed since Nangabire has seen her mother and siblings, and she reconnects with them while navigating a new environment.

Rose Mapendo’s commitment to compassion is truly inspiring and it something that inhabits her every word and action. Despite the danger posed, she returns to DRC for the first time to spread her message of peace, forgiveness and reconciliation.

With uncommon courage, Rose finds common ground and inspires others to do the same. Her remarkable story is not to be missed.

Pushing the Elephant premiered at the Human Rights Film Festival but will also be broadcast tomorrow (March 29) on PBS, Independent Lens. Click here for local listing.

We have worked in DRC since 2001 and utilize media to change attitudes and tell stories, as with our mobile cinema project, which tackles violence against women. Learn more about our programming here.