Fambul Tok

A film by Sara Terry

Filled with lessons for the West, Fambul Tok explores a culture that believes true justice lies in redemption and healing for individuals--and that forgiveness is the surest path to restoring dignity and building strong communities.

Victims and perpetrators of Sierra Leone's brutal civil war come together for the first time in tradition-based truth-telling and forgiveness ceremonies. By reviving their ancient practice of fambul tok (family talk), Sierra Leoneans are building sustainable peace at the grass-roots level.

We are present in the most intimate of moments--at the bonfire where a rape victim pulls her perpetrator out of the crowd to hear his confession and apology; at the dramatic meeting between two previous best friends, the first time they have spoken in 17 years; when a haunted man admits to killing his friend's father; on the search for a native son who killed 17 members of his own clan, so he could return and apologize for what he has done.

WINNER! Best Documentary, Fort Myers Film Festival

WINNER! Human Spirit Award, Nashville Film Festival

BEST OF FEST! Global Social Change Film Festival

WINNER! SIGNIS Prize, World Catholic Association for Communication

Named as one of the 12 Best Films at SXSW by Paste Magazine

Please note that the DVD of Fambul Tok is intended for home and family use only. This DVD is not licensed for public, community, or school-wide events held outside the private home; use in these settings is a violation of copyright. To purchase a public-use DVD licensed for screenings outside the private home, please visit www.fambultok.com/screenings/host-a-screening or contact Hannah Ewing at 207-775-2861.

Available from First Run Features. Currently priced at $18.71

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Fambul Tok: The Book

Experience an extraordinary journey of reconciliation, one that offers new insights and an original model for peacemaking to the rest of the world. A hardcover companion volume to the acclaimed documentary film Fambul Tok marks another chapter in the story of groundbreaking, grassroots peacebuilding in Sierra Leone.

The book articulates the vision behind Fambul Tok; shares some of its powerful stories of forgiveness and reconciliation; provides an in depth articulation of the process behind the stunning results, as well as a look at the implications of this process for other contexts; and an examination of the significance of Fambul Tok for international law and policy. There is a detailed timeline of the war in Sierra Leone, including the events leading up to it and the post-war reconstruction efforts to date. Each chapter is brought to life with Sara Terry's stunning photographs.

Introduction by Ishmael Beah, afterword by Benedict Sannoh, photographs by Sara Terry, interview with John Caulker and essays by Libby Hoffman and Sara Terry.

Published by Umbrage Editions.
Now available for $30 US at the Fambul Tok website

For international orders, contact [email protected]