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Why do so many movies and television programs use revenge as the main motivation of their characters? Why is the media fantasy that we will exact violent revenge if someone does violence to our family and friends so pervasive, particularly among those of us who have not experienced violence in our lives? How is revenge used as the justification for violence and war in popular culture?

A high school student and his friends explore these issues in a new 26-minute documentary that contrasts media culture with the powerful story of Ernest Rugwizangoga, a Tutsi survivor of the Rwandan genocide. Ernest survived the murder of his family members, narrowly escaping death. But when he returned to Rwanda, he chose not to take revenge on the known killers of his family. His choice and reasons for it has an important impact on the young people with whom he works and in particular with the high school students in this documentary.

"Healing the Wounds: A Life Without Vengeance" starts critical discussions on media literacy, violence and human behavior that are essential to our understanding of our actions and motivation.

What they say about "Healing the Wounds"

"I've shown many films about violence to my students, this is the first one that truly engaged them. It began an extraordinary discussion."
Alison Sullivan, teacher

Ordering Information

Running time: 26 minutes.
Closed captioned.
Price: $160
The price includes public performance rights ( you can show it to a class or at a public event.)
Go to the order page.