Lead: Dr Des O’Rawe, Mitchell Institute Fellow: Legacy

In partnership with the Belfast Film Festival, this Colloquium includes a screening of the critically acclaimed Columbian documentary, Strangers to Peace (Laura Àngel Rengifo and Noah Debonis, 2022), followed by a panel discussion responding to the film and exploring relations between documentary filmmaking and questions of post-conflict memory and transitional justice -- both more widely, and closer to home. The film’s producer, Colleen O’Brien, will be in attendance to introduce the film.

3.00pm to 3.30pm - Reception, Mitchell Institute, 18 University Square

3.30pm to 5.00pm - Film screening, Screen 2, Queen’s Film Theatre

5.00pm to 6.00pm - Panel discussion and Q&A, QUB Film Studio, 20 University Square

About the film

Three ex-fighters of the Colombian guerilla army FARC face anxiety and fear as they try to reintegrate into a society that views them as terrorists.

For over half a century, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) have been fighting to overthrow the Colombian government, which they blame for the corruption and inequality that prevails in the country.

This film is an intimate portrait of three people who made the difficult decision to demobilize and return to civilian life after years of bloody conflict.

Ricardo, a young man who does not hide his ideals; Alexandra, an indigenous woman who left her family at the age of 13; and Dayana, who is discovering her identity as a trans woman, all long for peace and acceptance but must carefully hide the truth about their past.

To the general public they are enemies, traitors to their former comrades-in-arms.

For further information contact Dr Des O’Rawe by email at: d.orawe@qub.ac.uk.