MEET THE FILMMAKERS Zach Niles – Director/Producer/Writer
Zach comes from a music industry background and has been fortunate to be a part of the production and promotion of some of the largest rock-n-roll tours (The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Madonna, Simon and Garfunkel). This is his first film.
Banker White - Director/Producer/Writer
Banker is a multi-disciplinary artist in the Bay Area. He received his MFA, from the California College of Arts and Crafts. He has been a writer/director for many short films, and his artwork and films have been showed and celebrated in the Bay area for the past six years. He has lived and worked in Ghana, West Africa and is an accomplished musician. In 1994-96 he helped start the Kokrobitey institute in Ghana, a learning center established to allow for the discovery of the cultural, and intellectual richness of Africa.
Chris Velan – Musical Director - Chris is a lawyer and professional musician who has produced and recorded three studio albums of his original compositions Chris’s musical bond with the band was an invaluable part of production. (www.chrisvelan.com). His background in law has proven to be extremely helpful in addressing project-related issues involving international law, refugee resettlement and intellectual property.
Jim Bruce – Editor/Writer – Jim has been involved with THE REFUGEE ALL STARS film from the earliest stages of production. Concurrent with his work on THE REFUGEE ALL STARS film, Jim is editing "Project Rebirth" - A multi-million dollar ongoing project documenting the rebuilding of The World Trade Center towers. He has been assistant editor for the Feature Films: "Twin Falls Idaho" (1999), "Pitch Black" (2000), "Insomnia" (2002), "Freddy Vs. Jason" (2003) and "Kinsey" (2004).
Andy Mitchell - Cinematography – Andy is a documentary cinematographer, producer, writer and editor who films anything and everything he can. From musicians to squid, from natural disasters to great white sharks, lions, tiger, bears, dingoes or jellyfish. He has over 50 credits for National Geographic, Discovery, PBS etc... filmed on every continent and in every ocean. He lives with his wife in Middlebury, VT.
Christopher Jenkins – Cinematography – Christopher Jenkins is a Cinematographer and Editor based in San Francisco. Specializing in international documentary productions, his work has aired on A&E, The Travel Channel, The History Channel and Discovery. Prior to receiving his Master¹s degree in Documentary Film and Video from Stanford University in 1999, Chris worked with deaf Sudanese refugees in East Africa and with orphaned children in southern Chile. To see more of Chris¹s work, visit http://www.cjpictures.com
MEET THE BAND
Reuben Koroma (Bandleader, Songwriter, Lead Vocals, Drums) -Before escaping to Guinea, Reuben, who is in his mid-thirties, lived near Sierra Leone’s capital, Freetown, dedicating his life to his musical career. He played with various bands (the Sierra Wailers, the Messiahs) in resort towns and at the Lungi International Airport where he met his wife Grace. As the bandleader for the Refugee All-Stars, Reuben is respected and loved as much for his musical talent as for his decisiveness as a leader and his kind and generous temperament. His original songs range in style from Goombay, Sierra Leone’s popular traditional music, to reggae. But no matter what the style, his songs all carry a common message that speaks out against war and injustice and that testifies to the healing truths of peace and love.
Francis John Langba (Franco) (Rhythm Guitar, Harmony Vocals, Kongroma) -Franco is the oldest member of the Refugee All-Stars and somewhat of a folk-hero in Sembakounya Camp. In Sierra Leone he was the guitar player for several performing bands around Freetown, including the Sierra Wailers with his musical brother, Reuben. One night after a performance, Franco was returning home to his wife and children when a rebel attack in the area blocked his passage home and forced him to flee to the Guinean border. He has yet to learn of his family’s fate. A self-proclaimed “slave to the rhythmâ€, Franco plays his guitar simply but with an unwavering conviction and dedication to the music and message of the Refugee All-Stars. When asked if he will return to Sierra Leone, Franco explains with equal parts sadness and hope that “like the wind, a musician must allow himself to be carried wherever music takes him.â€
Abdul Rahim Kamara (Arahim) (Harmony Vocals, Harmonica) -Arahim lives in Sembakounya Refugee Camp with his wife and two sons, working as a teacher in the camp’s school. Arahim’s father was a successful farmer who was killed by looting rebels during the war. These same rebels amputated his arm at the shoulder and left him for dead. Miraculously, he survived and soon fled to Guinea. Arahim is a religious man who often will speak in Biblical parables to convey an idea or make a point. Ironically, while Arahim’s religious fervor is rooted in a Muslim upbringing, the Old Testament has become his scripture since he has never had an English version of the Koran. Though his piety is intense, it is tempered by a humorous good nature and a quick wit. Arahim’s ability to hit perfect, high-pitched notes has earned him the nickname, “Jah Voiceâ€, and he is the cornerstone of the band’s backup vocal trio that is comprised of himself, Grace and Mohammed.
Mohammed Bangura (Harmony Vocals, Percussion, Harmonica) -Once a taxi driver outside of Freetown, Mohammed’s life was forever changed when he and his family were captured during a brutal rebel attack and he was forced to witness the murder of his parents, his wife and his infant child. He barely escaped with his own life after he was tortured and his hand was amputated. Now in his thirties, Mohammed bares the physical and psychological scars of his past with an impossibly warm and loving personality. Along with Franco, Mohammed is the band’s repository of traditional Sierra Leonean music. Mohammed is a strong and silent figure and he represents the collective courage and inner strength of the band in general.
Alhaji Jeffrey Camara (Black Nature) (Vocals) -Only 15 years old, Alhadji, known more commonly by his nom de rap, Black Nature, is the youngest member of the Refugee All-Stars. Orphaned by the war, Black Nature fled to Guinea only to be arrested and tortured by local police who accused him of being a rebel fighter. Now living with elder friends of his family whom he refers to as his grandparents, Black Nature has become the adopted son of the Refugee All-Stars. The band nurtures his natural talent as a rapper by allowing him to perform over their songs. This in turn allows the band’s messages to reach the younger refugees in the camp who are increasingly identifying with American rap music. Intelligent, aspiring and well-mannered, Black Nature represents in many ways the hope for a new Sierra Leone.
Efuah Grace (Grace) (Harmony Vocals) -Grace is married to Reuben and is the only female member of the Refugee All-Stars. Born in Ghana, Grace met Reuben while he was playing music at the international airport in Sierra Leone. After getting married, they were forced to make the dangerous journey to Guinea to seek refuge from the war. Together, they share a deep love, respect and commitment for each other. Often referred to as “Mama Grace†or “Sister Graceâ€, she happily assumes the role as the surrogate mother of the band. With a generous heart and smiling disposition, she is also not afraid to speak out when something is on her mind. At such times, the band listens.
http://www.sierraleonesrefugeeallstars.com/Â
http://www.refugeeallstars.org
http://www.pbs.org/pov/