3720 Spruce St. #416 • Philadelphia, PA 19104
215.701.8770 (PH/FAX) • info@reelvoices.org

DINKA DIARIES – Reviews

... Realistic, sensitive, and often gently humorous, DINKA DIARIES offers a unique look into new immigrant communities which are becoming an increasingly visible part of America's contemporary urban landscape. The director allows his subjects, their friends and neighbors to speak in their own voices, involving viewers with their hopes and disappointments. It also an excellent introduction to the experience of younger immigrants as they encounter popular American culture, and I intend to use it in my University classrooms...

Professor Lee Cassanelli
History and African Studies
University of Pennsylvania

.. For Joseph, Mike and Abraham (not, of course, their African names), the U.S. is a land of opportunity, but also responsibility; Mebrahtu films Deng Kuol, Abraham's brother, walking the city as he listens to a taped message from the elders of Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya, reminding him that he has come here to send money back home. It is also a place where the strong ties that bind them to their culture and each other are always under attack. While one African-American girl in Mike's Central High class laments the slave master's success at severing tribal and familial loyalties — "When we were brought here, we were, like, so much stronger than we are now" — another informs him, "The point of America… is to do what's best for you, not everyone else." ... DINKA DIARIES is an eye-opening status report on the United States' ability to live up to its own ideals...

Screen Picks by Sam Adams
Philadelphia City Paper

DINKA DIARIES – Viewer Comments

Captivating. Their experiences and views are undoubtedly shared by many immigrants their age. It was interesting to see how each one handled balancing American culture with that of their Sudanese heritage.

I just watched "Dinka Diaries" on TV, and immediately looked it up online, especially when I realized that it is based in Philadelphia - where I've been living for the past 5 years!! I'm originally from Kenya, moved here for college ... and I could really identify with some of the themes reflected by the interviewees. Well, just saying CONGRATULATIONS for a job well done.

The film expresses very clearly, through the words and actions and stories of the 3 boys, the way as they, as refugees feel uprooted, confused, longing for their culture, trying to understand coming to be more American. Interactions with Americans especially the scenes in the High School class were especially engaging and revealing. Shows the process of dislocation, acculturation in very intelligent, insightful, respectful way.

I found the ongoing discussion of culture – one’s analysis of it, adjustment to different cultures and attempts to blend two (or more!) different cultures together to be extremely interesting

All the elements are here for a kick-ass documentary – very moving, emotionally engaging, and a wonderful mirror to hold up to U.S. culture. “We are not in a natural state here..” haunting scene and words

I felt it to be extremely educational and heart-warming. The film addresses very well the questions of cultural adjustment, the fate of the immigrant, the ‘meaning’ of being an American, racial issues between Americans (and Americans & immigrants) and the development of young people into adulthood

There were many layers in the film I thought were very interesting. To me a good film is one that has many layers and yet tells a cohesive story, which is the case here.

The presentation feels very natural. The boys are very warm and very open about their thoughts and feelings. The film isn’t set up so that someone is telling their story – they’re telling their story. The film feels like a conversation which touches upon many different points without being didactic. Bravo!

The story makes sense in that the dynamics of fitting in/attachment to culture etc, emerge naturally. It is authentic and engaging and I found the recurring scenes of the Dinka tapes as the missing outside voices, family at home helpful in binding things together.

I liked the form of the film – video diary of each person, has a highly personal touch, easy to listen to and understand each person. good show of progression, change in characters. Especially liked the Dinka tapes, revealed values of the elders back home

It provides a balanced and thoughtful perspective on the experiences of these young men. Other films and reports have pathologized and dehumanized – here we have these brothers’ ideas, experiences, and concerns, in their own words - very powerful. I like how they narrated the piece. It made me think a lot about the African refugee immigrant experience.

I like how it shows a progression of thoughts and feelings of the subjects from one time to another and the differing directions that their views take under similar circumstances

I think the flow is very strong. It doesn’t stagnate at all and it moves seamlessly from story to story. Not once did I feel bored. The insight of the subjects of the film is golden

The film has strong, charming characters who have good ability to reflect. I found it interesting to watch the very different paths chosen by the boys here.

I like the different discussion on values. I think it is interesting to hear how people from other countries view Americans. It was interesting to see the boys interact and listen to their stories. It was also shot well.