The Wound is Where the Light Enters tells the story of 15 children taking part in a docu-dance-theatre workshop in which they explore their experiences, the stigma they face in everyday life, and their routes towards empowerment and healing.
The film was produced by Dheeraj Akolkar, of Vardo Films, in collaboration with the Austrian-based Alpha Group, a production company that focuses on politically-relevant performance arts. It draws on research at the University of Birmingham which explored the life courses of children born of war rape in Northern Uganda and other countries.
The Wound is Where the Light Enters won the 2021 Research in Film Award from the Arts and Humanities Research Council in the ‘Inspiration’ Category, in recognition of how the dynamic of the group and individual voices of the young people are captured and expressed.
The project was led by Sabine Lee, Professor of Modern History at the University of Birmingham. She explains: “The changing nature of war, the strategic use of rape as a weapon of war and increased conflict-related forced migration have led to a rising numbers of children born of war rapes.
“This issue is not limited to children in Northern Uganda. It is estimated there are around 200,000 children born of war around the world and we hope that by highlighting their experiences we can draw necessary attention to widespread injustice.”
It is estimated there are around 200,000 children born of war around the world and we hope that by highlighting their experiences we can draw necessary attention to widespread injustice.
Professor Sabine Lee, Department of History
A new charity will also be launched at the premiere. GRACE (Global Reconciliation, Advocacy and Community-building Engagement in War-affected Regions) promotes the long-term social integration, wellbeing and empowerment of children, their families and communities affected by war around the world.