There’s a great short film featured on National Geographic by director Juan Herrero and producer Tik Root that dives into the traumatic experiences of the Rwandan genocide that began just 22 years ago. The Kigali Genocide Memorial, one of eight in the country, is home to the archival and preservation of the lives lost during the four month long genocide in 1994; in the hope that their memories remind us that to avoid this atrocity from reoccurring, we have to actively hold onto our humanity.
The short doc focuses on the head guide of the memorial, Serge Rwigamba who lost his father and other family members during the genocide, and speaks candidly about the fear that consumed everyone in the country.
But it’s his jovial spirit in this harrowing space that shines through the film. Rwigamba teaches you a thing or two about living life beyond tragedy and trauma.
And reminds us that the real gift of survival is choosing to live on the positive side of life.
