- I Am Because We Are
Infobox Film
name = I Am Because We Are
image_size = 250px
caption = Nathan Rissman and Madonna at the film's premiere
director = Nathan Rissman
producer = Madonna, Angela Becker
writer = Madonna
narrator = Madonna
starring =
music =Patrick Leonard
cinematography = Kevin Brown, Grant James, Nathan Rissman, Marc Shap, John Martin White
editing = Danny Tull
distributor = Semtex Films
released =Tribeca Film Festival :
April 24, 2008 (US)
Cannes Film Festival :
May 21, 2008 (France)
Traverse City Film Festival :
April 24, 2008 (US)
December 4, 2008 (Netherlands)
January 14, 2009 (France)
runtime = 90 mins. approx
country =UK ,USA ,Malawi
language = English
budget =
gross =
preceded_by =
followed_by =
website = http://www.iambecausewearefilm.com/
amg_id = 1:447110
imdb_id = 1138006"I Am Because We Are" is a 2008 documentary directed by Nathan Rissman and written, narrated and produced by Madonna.
The film premiered at the 7th annual
Tribeca Film Festival in New York, USA, onApril 24 ,2008 and at the 61st annualCannes Film Festival inCannes, France onMay 21 ,2008 . The movie also headlined the 2008Traverse City Film Festival . [ [http://www.record-eagle.com/local/local_story_144100317.html] Madonna coming to TC for Film Festival]Documentary
This movie documents the concern over the millions of orphans in the African country of
Malawi who have lost parents and siblings toHIV andAIDS , many of whom live on the streets. The film also shows the efforts with Madonna's charitable organisationRaising Malawi in helping with improving their lives and conditions. [ [http://www.madonnatribe.com/news/modules.php?name=News&new_topic=88] Breaking news - Madonnatribe.com]Madonna said about the film: "To say that this film is a labor of love is trivial. It's also the journey of a lifetime. I hope you all are as inspired watching it as I was making it." [ [http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20201638,00.html] Madonna about the film]
The film is scheduled to be released in 2008 and was described by long-time friend
Rosie O'Donnell as "devastating and amazing." [ [http://perezhilton.com/?p=7070] Madonna directs a new movie] Both Madonna and O'Donnell attended a private screening on October 11, 2007.Book
A companion book containing 180 pages with 106 duotone and 44 four-color photographs taken during the visit, as well as stills from the video will be released in January 2009. Author proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated to the charitable organization
Raising Malawi for their extensive work with orphans throughout Malawi. [http://powerhousebooks.com/IABWA/]*Released: January 2009
*Photographer: Kristen Ashburn, with foreword by Madonna
*Publisher: PowerHouseTitle
The title is derived from
Desmond Tutu 's (a famousArchbishop fromCape Town ,South Africa ) words. "Ubuntu" is an idea present in African spirituality that says "I am because we are" - or we are all connected, we cannot be ourselves without community, health and faith are always lived out among others, an individual’s well being is caught up in the well being of others. [ [http://www.drownedmadonna.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=18763] Breaking News]Linux users will already be familiar with the word, asUbuntu is the most popularLinux distribution .Reception
The movie received positive reviews in the media.
The Times , giving it 4 out of 5 stars, wrote: "This rich material makes for a completely absorbing film. Certain scenes, such as women and children literally dying of Aids in front of the camera, drew gasps from the shocked audience in the screening room at Cannes. It's impossible to tear your eyes away from the screen. Not that the film portrays Malawian people as innocent victims of circumstances beyond their control. Rissman doesn't shy away from the culture of drinking, crime and violence that is prevalent in the country. Together, he and Madonna have made a shocking and incredibly moving film that is much more than an extended Comic Relief appeal." [ [http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/cannes/article3986531.ece] The Times Review]A news article in
The Guardian said: "Madonna the documentary-maker came, saw and conquered the world's biggest film festival yesterday with a powerful polemic on the effects of disease and poverty on Malawi...The queen of reinvention presented her film, I Am Because We Are, which she wrote and produced, to general acclaim. Alongside her was her former gardener Nathan Rissman, who directed." [ [http://film.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,2281790,00.html?gusrc=rss&feed=16] The Guardian news article]The movie was shown at the 2008
Traverse City Film Festival , held from July 29 to August 3.Michael Moore , who founded the festival, said in May 2008 about the movie: "I saw her film a month ago and was so deeply moved in a way that rarely happens with movies these days. I asked her immediately if she would come to our festival and she said, 'yes.' I have known her for years and she is truly one of the most caring and generous people I have met. Her presence here in Traverse City will have a profound impact on people." [ [http://www.traversecityfilmfest.org/archives/?page=2008news-052308 Madonna to appear at Traverse City Film Festival] , traversecityfilmfest.org.]External links
* [http://www.iambecausewearefilm.com/ The film's Official Site]
* [http://www.tribecafilmfestival.org/tff/ 2008 Tribeca Film Festival Guide]
* [http://www.festival-cannes.org Cannes Film Festival official website] fr icon en icon
* [http://www.traversecityfilmfestival.org/ Official Site - Traverse City Film Festival]
* [http://www.raisingmalawi.org/ The Raising Malawi Official Site]References
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