War Dance Themes

[A]Everyone has felt and gone through times of misery and melancholy. [B] There are many stories out there that tell stories of people who have gone through and experienced problems, but have pushed past it, and stories of normal people doing extraordinary things. Such as “War Dance”, a beautifully made film of hope and dreams, and reaching your goals, is directed by Sean Fine. Another film that shines light on the topics of hope, dreams, and goals, is “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”, directed by Ben Stiller, is a story of an ordinary man who pushes his limits to reach his goal. Author John Steinbeck’s story, “Of Mice and Men”, is a great story of two ordinary ranch workers who pursue their dream, with the help of the hope they hold. [C]

[F] In a beautifully and heart moving film called War Dance, the story focuses on three different children who are from the Patongo refugee camp, have the dream of going to the nationwide music and dance competition, despite the children’s terror for Joseph Kony and the LRA. [G] According to the ‘Children of War in Uganda’, the writers, Keith Morrison and Tim Sandler write, “With virtually no popular support, he has increasingly resorted to abducting children to fight for him-against not only government forces but his own civilian people” (Morrison Sandler 1). [H] The LRA have done more than just give the three children, Rose, Dominic, and Nancy countless nights filled with nightmares, but have even terrorized them directly. But this does not stop the children to pursue their goals, and dreams. [I] Especially Dominic, a very charismatic boy who has much love for the xylophone. Dominic himself, has been in direct affiliation with the LRA when he was abducted and was forced to become a child soldier in the past. Now Dominic, who has the dream of winning the nationwide competition in his category. Dominic will end up winning an award for his great playing on the xylophone, all because of the hope he had in himself. Despite the sad background of this strong boy, he beats other contestants who do not share as sad of a story he has. [J] Dominic’s hope for the title keeps him working hard for the somewhat ‘untouchable’ dream he has. [K] In The Will and Ways of Hope, writer Scott Barry Kaufman writes, “Optimism involves a positive expectancy for future outcomes without regard for one’s personal control over the outcome” (Kaufman 2) [L] Though Dominic may not have the best of the best equipment, he still practices as hard and stays positive throughout the preparation. He also pushes past his terrorizing past, and