Independent Lens Season 12 Episode 17
Independent Lens
Season 12

Ep 17. Pushing the Elephant

  • March 29, 2011

Pushing the Elephant is an emotional and inspiring episode of the twelfth season of Independent Lens. The documentary takes us on a journey to the Democratic Republic of Congo where we meet Rose Mapendo, a survivor of the country's devastating civil war that took place in the late '90s. The war cost the lives of millions of people, but Rose managed to survive and find refuge in Arizona with nine of her ten children.

The documentary cleverly uses old footage and photographs to bring the events of the war to life and give context to Rose's story. We learn that Rose and her family were separated during the conflict, and she was imprisoned in a death camp for eight months. Despite the horrific conditions, Rose kept her spirits up by singing and praying and managed to stay alive. Through a stroke of luck, she was eventually released and reunited with her children, but her husband died in the camp.

Rose's story is about more than survival, however. She is an example of how one person can make a difference in the world. After settling in the United States, Rose became an activist for peace in her homeland. She traveled back to Congo in an attempt to reconcile with the people who hurt her and her family. This is where we see the true power of her story. Rose's journey is not just a personal one, but one that has the potential to inspire change and prevent the same atrocities from happening again.

The documentary showcases the challenges Rose faced in her quest for peace. She faced opposition from the government and military, who are primarily responsible for the war crimes. She also struggles to convince other survivors to forgive and move on from their trauma. Despite these difficulties, Rose persisted. She formed a support group for women who were also prisoners of war and started the Rose Mapendo Foundation, which provides education and aid to women and children in Congo.

Pushing the Elephant is a heart-wrenching but ultimately hopeful documentary. We see the human face of war and its devastating consequences. We learn about the strength of the human spirit and how forgiveness and reconciliation can lead to healing. We also see how everyday people can make a significant difference in the world, even in seemingly impossible situations. The episode is a reminder that despite the terrible things that happen in our world, there is hope for a better future.

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Description
  • First Aired
    March 29, 2011
  • Language
    English