Lost Boys of Sudan

Well made documentary focusing on two Sudanese refugees who get resettled in the United States. It's your basic fish out of water story with a non-fiction twist. I found it fascinating to see how Peter and Santino lived prior to coming to America and how they adapted once they arrived here (in Houston, Texas.) They expected a sort of heaven but found out that it's a lot harder than it looks to cope well in the states. They go from hopeful idealists to somewhat more realistic skeptics. Everywhere they go they meet bureaucrats with paper trails that most citizens may take for granted. They fret that they are blacker than the African-Americans here and don't feel accepted because of that. One of the "Lost Boys" manages to leave Houston to go to Olathe, Kansas, where he finds conditions slightly better but still less than ideal. There are people that try to help them as well as try to hurt them in this film. Not shown, but talked about, are those who put a gun to their heads and robbed them, leading one Lost Boy to comment negatively that "all black people in America are no good." I found it interesting, too, that they arrived in Houston in August 2001, a month before the World Trade Center was attacked by terrorists. I had hoped to see their reaction to this tragedy but it's not mentioned at all. Still, all in all, a really well done documentary with no narration. None is needed really. The "Lost Boys" do a fine job expounding on the events going on around them without any help at all, thank you very much.

This follows two Sudanese boys who immigrated to the United States from a refugee camp. I have always had an interest in other cultures and the way in which the U.S. culture is perceived by those abroad.

This movie held some special interest for me. Peter moved to Olathe, KS where I have lived for 19 years and went to Olathe East High School where my oldest son attended school a grade behind Peter.

It is interesting how the perception of the U.S. changed from one of wild idealism to the realism of hard work. As may kids were going up, I kept telling my kids they don't live in the real world, they live in Olathe. This is an exceptionally affluent area and it was interesting when Peter remarked about being a poor person in the midst of rich people's kids.

My oldest son is a few month in the real world now. He is living, ironically, Houston, TX where the other principal character, Santino lived. It was also interesting to see the contrasts in the lifestyles in Olathe and Houston.

As a documentary, I found it interesting, but honestly, I don't think it would have had the same impact had it not had hit so close to home. It was indeed interesting, but I didn't find it as profound as I had expected. If you are interested in how the U.S. fits in the scheme of our global neighborhood, this is still worth a look.

Lost Boys of Sudan was a movie following the lives of two men, by the names of Peter and Santino Chuor. They were brought to America after many tragic events that led to the lost of their families. The main story is about how they learn to live in America.

The movie's story is probably one of the best parts. It is really interesting and makes the viewer want to see what happens next. It makes you feel sympathetic, and really like the two characters.

The movie's music isn't really that great, but it did not bother my experience that much. The presentation is probably the worst part of the movie. It wasn't super terrible and eye-clawing, but it could have been a lot better. There was an overuse of shaky camera, and they didn't really use the "shaky camera" in any good moments. It just seemed they weren't able to get the camera on a tripod.

Overall the story is good, presentation is okay, and everything else is either mediocre or "kinda good but not really." In general, a good movie, but nothing amazing.

If you have not heard of this film, it follows two Sudanese refugees from a refugee camp in Africa to America, where they convince themselves they will find success and riches. Life is harder than expected in the states, and this film beautifully captures the frustration felt when things are not going right. The lives are captured so well many moments seem scripted because they're so perfect. Whether it be on the job, at school, or the time in between, the two boys, Peter and Santino, are very honest with the filmmakers, and make some very thought-provoking comments about life in the states. It's one of the only documentaries I can recall that, when it ended, I wanted it to go on for another two hours. It might be difficult to find this movie cause it didn't get great distribution, but check your local "art house" or independent theater and give this one a go (side note, if you're reading this when it's already on video then definitely it's worth a rent). Rating: 28/40

I've heard about this documentary for so long I knew I needed to take the time to watch it. As a documentary it's very well done, in that it takes a neutral observant view of their experience. There are no voice-overs, or interviewing. It is honest. It is true. It is also humbling. Two comments really stayed with me after the film was done. One was how the boys are told to not to become like the American boys who wear the baggy pants, and how in Africa there is time but no money, but in America there is money but no time. The biggest impact was how the boys hungered for education, and how one of the boys totally relocated himself so he could go to school. I watched this film with a high school sophomore who said it upset him to see how the boys were brought to their new life without any real orientation to America. He also said he knew so many American teens who simply cannot appreciate howblessed their lives are in America. I would agree with him on both accounts. A strong film that will leave a person thinking about many things.