film

Home Across Lands

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Producer(s)	Mary Copp, Jessica Jennings, John Lavall, Julie Lewis
Director(s)	John Lavall
Release Date	2009
Work In Progress	No
Runtime	59 min
Format(s)	none
Language(s)	English
Youth Media	No
Educational Materials	Yes

Film Description

In 1998, war between Eritrea and Ethiopia broke out in a conflict over these fertile border lands forcing over 4,000 Kunama to flee across the border into Northern Ethiopia. In 2000, the war ended with the Eritrean government regaining control of the disputed area, separating thousands of Kunama from their homeland and way of life.
Today the Kunama wait in desolation, 45 km from the contentious Eritrean border, warehoused in the Shimelba Refugee Camp in Northern Ethiopia. Life in the camp is difficult and opportunities for a better life are nonexistent but the Kunama remain committed to their strong sense of community and family in spite of their displacement. Unwanted in Ethiopia and unable to return to their homes safely, a small number of Kunama are given the opportunity for resettlement in the United States. HOME ACROSS LANDS chronicles the journey of these newly arrived Kunama as they strive to become self-reliant, invested participants in their new home.