Our Lady of the Nile

In this movie, we meet the students and the staff at a Catholic boarding school in Rwanda, Africa. The movie takes place before the 1994 Rwandan genocide. All students at the school are girls. They will, very shortly, learn more about life, love and each other.

A mixture of serenity and rebellions. Add a pinch of "Mean Girls" (2004) and "Lord of the Flies" and yes, then you have, in my honest opinion, a description of this movie. Some scenes confused me. Then a little too many questions were raised. In other words, I missed a bit more clarity. But all in all, I think that this movie is interesting. I would like to recommend it, especially if you are into African history.

I admitt, from the first scenes , my thoughts were about the Rwandian massacre of 1993.

The film reminds its root. A lie of a young girl , covering a mistake sustained by nationalism and selfishness, giving birth to hate in terrible forms.

The story of a Catholic institute, few girls, myths, games, love stories and discipline, friendship and the fall of innocence.

Its virtues - the profound honesty, the universality of story, because the hate has not citizenship and a powerful warning about a moment changing, in radical manner, the life of a community, the life of a nation.

Few scenes defines it, maybe, the more tribble being the talk between priest and director of institut, the most touching, the obsession for tutsi past of the venerable Frenchman.

More than a well crafted film. First, a powerful warning.

Great story-telling, exceptional cinematography. I can understand why this flick's rating is so low. Racial bigotry causes this shameful mislead. Notre-Dame du Nil is a true gem for being aware of Ruanda's and Africa's heartbreaking history. Telling the irrational and European-made hatred between African people, even they lived as neighbours for centuries. Atiq Rahimi artistically prepares a vivid and convincing atmosphere where audience's questions are answered by good acting and strong script. This movie is telling the sorrow and anguish of innocents. While ironically this restores our faith in humanity.

When will the hate propaganda Stop! You can poke, lie and attack But the truth is self evident! Not convinced then Read the book Because the World should see the degradation of Everyone's War!

The movie has a touching story that unravels slowly across multiple chapters. Why does it even has chapters? Why is the film turns black and white on two occasions for about 90 seconds each time? This comes over as unnecessary artistic quirks that only serve the purpose to remind, that it is a festival movie. The cinematography otherwise is superb, with stunning shots of nature.