Customer Reviews

The Diary of Immaculee

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Immaculée's story captured my heart when I first heard her speak with Wayne Dyer last fall. I read her book and felt transformed. This movie adds another dimension to her amazing story, and I commend the filmmakers for such a clear and moving exposition of her experience.
The film has many great moments: when Immaculée goes back to the hollow shell of what was once her family's home, we can feel how overwhelming and sad it is. She calls to her young son to hold him--one of the few blood relatives she has left.
Yet Immaculée clearly has healed and moved on from the tragic circumstances of the genocide--and if this woman can forgive her family's killers, anyone can.
My favorite moment in the movie is when she talks about meeting one of these killers. "I'm so sorry" he says.
"Yes, I'm past all that, I forgive you." (And I believe her!) She goes on to say, "But what were you thinking? You used to be a human being! How could you do such a thing?"
Now, what I love about this, is that she clearly "loves the sinner, hates the sin"--Her forgiveness is not blind, it acknowlegdes that something happened that was not good, but she doesn't condemn the person who did it. How utterly incredible. It was as if she was asking him why he stole a car or something.
(PS his answer was that they told him they would make him rich, but in fact, he spent 11 years in jail and had lost everything once he got out.)
Anyway, I think Immaculée is amazing, incredible, inspiring, beautiful inside and out, and I'm so glad to have this film as another tribute to her incredible story.
I was there, actually, when they were shooting it! After hearing her speak the first time, I knew I wanted to do an acting project about her story. I went to another conference and got to meet her. (Wow!) When I learned that she would be going back to Rwanda to film this documentary, I invited myself along--I'm grateful the filmmakers let me stay!
Anyway, I love what they did with the material, and I'm inspired by this film. I highly recommend it, and I wish it every success.

The film chronicles Rwandan genocide survivor Immaculee Ilibagiza as she returns to the scene of one of history's most horrific displays of inhumanity. The film is very well-done, taking the audience through the aftermath of incomprehensible brutality. Readers of Ms. Ilibagiza's book will be fascinated to see the bathroom where she and seven other women hid, to hear the interview with the Pastor who gave them shelter and to meet many other key figures in her book Left to Tell. I think the documentary is particulary impressive in that the director could easily have chosen to sensationalize this material, and instead presents the story in a straightforward manner. Very, very well done.

This was a fabulous documentary...very moving. It realistically depicted the atrocities and horrors yet was tastefully done. It personalized a monumental disaster and put a face and individual story to the genocide. This one woman's remembrance becomes a tribute to her strength and endurance and a lesson in humanity as she returns to her country so many years later. You feel as if she is in the room telling the story directly to you...the method of film-making adds to the depth of her poise and emotion. Highly recommended!!

This CD was interesting and enhances her book "Left to Tell" by actually visiting Rwanda, her homeland. However, I give it a low grade only because I was looking for more information on the spiritual elements of her heart-wrenching story. So by that measure, my expectations were not met. I can only say that the whole of her story -- the factual and spiritual -- as told in her book will live with me forever. Very powerful.

I purchased this CD set after seeing Immaculee on a TV program and just caught the tail end, and was interested in hearing more...when I started playing them with some friends of mine, who are African American, I am White.....(I only mention that distinction because white or black these tapes and this story is equally heartbreaking) anyway the story and what happened is spoken of in such and articulate manor by Ms. Immaculee that we couldn't help but listen to them all right through, they are long and harrowing...and I recommend them to everyone so as to know just what atrocities are going on, and how are lives are darn good by comparison..there is also a DVD to order and watch...I have it but have not watched yet..can't get everyone all back together....
Please don't pass this CD set up...you'll never be the same after listening.

Our bookclub read "Left to Tell", which was a wonderful book and resulted in lively discussion. The DVD "Imaculee's Diary" was perfect for after book discussion to actually see the place where she was kept and see some of the individuals referenced in the book. I would definately recommend getting both. Was pretty graphic at times with historical footage, and a little sad at times.

This is an incredible story beautifully portrayed in this DVD. This is not to be missed!

The DVD gives an introduction to our own darkness and blindness, as it reflects on the atrocities of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, seen through the eyes of the 19 yr old survivor. The DVD's 'brief' overview (38 min)allows viewers to get a 'taste' of not only the brutal history, but also the conversion from death to life, both physically and spiritually, in a way that does not overwhelm the viewer. The DVD really points out the intrinsic beauty of Rwanda in the midst of its ugly reality. I recommend this DVD followed by either the "Left To Tell" book or audiobook, by the same author.

I read the book Left to Tell (which was tremendous), and ordered this video right away when I saw that it was available. It is excellent also, both as a companion piece to the book or on its own. Immaculee's story is emotional and wrenching as it portrays an unbelievable tragedy. Everyone should see it so they'd feel compelled to help others who are now suffering and dying in Darfur.

An amazingly honest, touching true story that left me with thinking and knowing more about Rwanda and its people. It digs even deeper into the Rwanda issue that the movie "HOTEL RWANDA" as it deals with an invidiual and her struggle in this horrible war alone.