POV Season 17 Episode 13 Lost Boys of Sudan

The POV season 17 episode 13, titled Lost Boys of Sudan, follows the journey of two Sudanese refugees, Peter and Santino, as they navigate their way through their new lives in America. Having fled their war-torn country at a young age, the film shows their emotional struggles as they adapt to a completely new culture, make new friends, and try to find their place in the world.

The film begins by introducing us to Peter and Santino in their current lives, both living in different states in the U.S. with very different experiences. We learn more about their childhoods and how they were forced to flee Sudan during the Second Sudanese War when they were just eight years old. The boys were part of a group of over 20,000 "Lost Boys" who were orphaned or separated from their families during the conflict.

Through interviews with Peter and Santino and other Lost Boys, we learn about the challenges they faced during their journey to safety, including hunger, thirst, and attacks from wild animals. We also hear about the deaths of many of their fellow refugees, and how they had to leave their ill or injured friends behind as they travelled on foot for months across the African continent.

Once they arrive in the U.S., we see how Peter and Santino struggle to adapt to their new lives. They initially live with host families, attend school, and try to make friends, but are constantly haunted by memories of the war and the trauma they experienced. Their English is limited, which makes it difficult for them to communicate with their classmates and teachers, and they struggle to navigate the complex American culture.

As the film progresses, we see the boys start to make progress. Peter becomes a high school basketball star and makes friends with his teammates, while Santino becomes a successful student and finds a mentor in a local doctor. However, their success is not without its challenges. Peter's mother dies back in Sudan, leaving him with unresolved grief, and Santino is forced to confront the realities of life as a refugee in America, including the high cost of medical insurance.

Lost Boys of Sudan is a powerful and moving documentary that sheds light on the experiences of refugees and the difficulties they face as they try to rebuild their lives in a new country. Through Peter and Santino's journey, we see the importance of community, resilience, and hope in the face of adversity. The film highlights the urgent need for more support and compassion towards refugees, who are often left to navigate complex systems on their own and endure the ongoing trauma of displacement.