Watch Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars

Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars is a heart-warming documentary that follows the remarkable story of a group of musicians who, after fleeing the civil war in their home country of Sierra Leone, found themselves living as refugees in neighboring Guinea. The film documents the band's journey as they use their music to bring comfort and hope to fellow refugees, and eventually use their growing popularity to draw attention to the struggles of those affected by the conflict.

The film begins with a brief overview of Sierra Leone's civil war, which lasted from 1991 to 2002 and resulted in the displacement of over two million people. We meet the members of the Refugee All Stars, including lead singer Reuben Koroma, guitarist Franco "One Love" Lungay, and percussionist Abdul "Jah Bull" Rahim. The band members recount their experiences of fleeing their homes and struggling to survive as refugees, often living in squalid conditions and facing prejudice and discrimination.

Despite the challenges they face, the band members remain determined to keep playing music. They form a band, and begin playing gigs for their fellow refugees in camps across Guinea. We see footage of the band performing, and the energy and joy that they bring to their audiences is palpable. Their music is a powerful tool for lifting people's spirits, and we see how it helps to create a sense of community and solidarity among the refugees.

As the band's popularity grows, they are eventually discovered by the Canadian musician Chris Velan, who agrees to produce their first album. The process of recording the album is a difficult one, with the band members struggling to adapt to the unfamiliar environment of the studio. However, their determination and talent shines through, and the resulting album is an impressive achievement.

With their album completed, the Refugee All Stars embark on a tour of West Africa, playing concerts in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. The tour is a huge success, with audiences responding enthusiastically to the band's infectious music and inspiring story. The documentary provides a glimpse of the impact that the band's music has on people's lives, with audience members expressing how much joy and hope it brings them.

The final act of the film follows the band as they travel to the United States for their first international tour. They are greeted with much excitement, playing concerts across the country and receiving media coverage from major news outlets. This newfound attention gives the band a platform to speak out about the struggles of refugees, and they become advocates for the cause.

Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars is an inspiring and uplifting film that showcases the power of music to bring people together and create change. The band's story is a testament to the resilience and strength of the human spirit, and the film does an excellent job of capturing the emotion and energy of their music. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in music, social justice, and the human experience.

Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars is a 2005 music movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 20 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5.