CHILDREN IN WAR is the tragic story of modern warfare and terrorism as told by the children of Bosnia, Palestine, Israel, Rwanda and Northern Ireland.

At the end of the 20th Century, the targeting and killing of children in war has become another crime against humanity. Although the Principles of Protection and the Convention on the Rights of the Child in wartime are clearly defined by international law, these accepted standards of decency are routinely violated by governments and military leaders. In today's wars 90 percent of the casualties are civilians, compared to 50 percent in World War II. In the past ten years, two million children have been killed in wars throughout the world.

CHILDREN IN WAR is a powerful, compassionate and disturbing report on the effects of war and terrorism on children caught in the midst of armed conflict. Filmed on location in Bosnia, Rwanda, Palestine, Israel and Northern Ireland, this feature-length documentary explores war-torn neighborhoods, orphanages, schools and refugee camps. Through the eyes of children, the tragedy of war is witnessed.

CHILDREN IN WAR outlines the history of each conflict and captures first hand the children's individual experiences. The children struggle to heal the past through art therapy and self-expression, but their personal traumas are the recurring themes of war and terrorism: fear of death, threat of physical injury; destruction of homes and displacement; disintegration of families; and the resilience of children in war.

Bosnia — In Mostar, a 12-year-old boy recalls the shelling of his home and the devastating physical injuries he suffered. At a Croatian refugee camp, a 13 year old Bosnian girl describes how she survived the death camp of Trnopolje.

Palestine & Israel — In the West Bank city of Hebron, teenage Israeli girls from the militant nationalist settler's movement vow to stay forever and live among 120,000 Palestinian people. Nearby, a 12-year-old Palestinian boy tells of his surviving an Israeli settlers' massacre at the Abraham Mosque and having his father die in his arms.

Rwanda — The civil war in Rwanda was the first genocide officially recognized by the UN since World War II. An 11-year-old Tutsi boy details how he hid in the swamp and watched his parents being murdered. He subsequently joined the RPF army as a child soldier. At the Gitagata Youth facility, Hutu boys, some as young as 8 years old, are accused of actively participating in the country's genocide and must remain at the facility indefinitely.

Northern Ireland — Northern Irish Catholic teenager Patricia tells what it's like to live in a city divided by 18 foot high "peace walls" that divide Protestant and Catholic neighborhoods. Her generation has yet to know peace in their lifetime although the recent implementation of the Good Friday Peace Accord may finally provide an end to violence.

The Film | The Book | The Filmmakers | Online Store | Contact Us

Copyright © Video Vérité LLC 1999, 2003