God Grew Tired of Us: The Story of the Lost Boys of Sudan Documentary (2007) Length: 89 min. Produced by the National Geographic Society Based on book by: John Bul Dau & Michael S. Sweeney Key words: War, Refugees, Sudan, Lost Boys SUMMARY This moving and engaging film documents the tumultuous journey that three young Sudanese men, John Bul Dau, Daniel Pach, and Panther Bior, take when they immigrate to Pennsylvania in the United States from their ‘home’ in a U.N Refugee Camp in Kenya. Originally from southern Sudan, these young men, along with thousands of others, were forced to flee when the second civil war broke out in 1983. Although John, Daniel and Panther are excited to be moving to the States, their departure is bittersweet. This is a story of refugees rebuilding life and finding a place of belonging in a culture and land that is foreign, while keeping the memories of loved ones alive. (Winner of the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival.) http://www.godgrewtiredofus.com DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. Daniel tells us: “People ask, do you live in the forest?” How might such misperceptions about life in Africa affect the boys’ ability to integrate successfully into American society? Is this a serious impediment, or just one of the many small challenges? 2. How do you think the loss of close friends in the camp affects the boys’ integration into the U.S. and their emotional stability? What are other push-pull forces in their immigration process? Are there concrete things we could do to make integration here less emotionally challenging? 3. What do you think were the hardest parts of their journey? 4. Does the film contribute to the exoticization of these boys in any way? 5. At the end of the film, to what extent has the ‘American Dream’ been achieved? Were the boys seeking the ‘American Dream’? If so, what were the impediments to achieving it? What is it they want for their lives? 6. Although this is a very specific story, does the film make you think about refugee and immigrant experience differently? Asides from geographical relocation, what else does it take for successful integration? BACKGROUND Second Sudanese Civil War: 1983–2005 Deaths due to the war: approx. 2 million Lost Boys of Sudan: Approx. 25,000 boys who were displaced and/or orphaned during the Second Sudanese Civil War walked together— sometimes for years and up to 1000 km—until they finally arrived at refugee camps and safe haven. LEARN LINKS A chronology of key events: Sudan. BBC. US offers $26 million in Sudan refugee aid. AFP (April 3, 2012) Israel's 'hot return' of Sudan refugees prompts UN concern. Haaretz. (Nov 30, 2009) Sudanese refugees find unlikely home in rural Australia. AFP (March 26, 2012) Lost Boy of Sudan finds himself. Calgary Herald (April 8, 2012) John Dau Foundation. We welcome your feedback. Please send comments and suggestions to: [email protected] For information about Pragmora: www.pragmora.org .