Filmmakers tell the story of a remarkable Rwandan woman in ‘The Diary of Immaculée.’
By: Susan Van Dongen
Perhaps there was some kind of hatred virus going around Rwanda in the spring of 1994. The country seemed to explode into madness after an airplane carrying Juvenal Habyarimana, the President of Rwanda and a member of the ruling Hutu faction, was shot down, causing an immediate violent reaction by militant Hutus who accused the opposing Tutsis of killing him.
Driven into mob frenzy by fanatical radio and TV broadcasts, the Hutus rose up against the Tutsis, killing friends, neighbors, colleagues and even members of their own families. In the film The Diary of Immaculée, one witness describes the turmoil as though the Hutus got up in the morning, had breakfast and then went to work killing people, then came home nonchalantly at dinner time, as though they had been in an office cubicle all day.
Immaculée Ilibigaza, the namesake of the documentary, was targeted not only for being a Tutsi but also because she came from an educated family. Urged by her parents to hide, Ms. Ilibigaza and seven other Tutsi women sought refuge in the bathroom of a neighbor a pastor who happened to be a Hutu. They remained in close quarters for 91 days, in silence, taking turns sitting and sleeping, being slipped food at odd hours by the pastor. Remarkably, she and the others survived but emerged from their hiding place to learn their families had been slaughtered and their peaceful lives turned upside down.
A deeply spiritual woman, Ms. Ilibigaza believes she was spared so she could live to tell the story and also forgive the killers.
Annandale-based father and son filmmakers Steve and Jonathan Kalafer of New Jersey Studios were moved by Ms. Ilibigaza’s story and put together a production team including director Peter LeDonne of Ringoes. The result is The Diary of Immaculée, which will be screened at the Hunterdon Museum of Art in Clinton Feb. 10.
It’s part of the museum’s benefit event, An Evening of Documentary Shorts by Steve Kalafer and Peter LeDonne, that also features the filmmakers’ Academy Award-nominated work Curtain Call (2000). In addition to the film screening, the evening includes a silent auction and a question and answer session with the filmmakers.
There’s an educational element to the event an open discussion with Steve Kalafer and Mr. LeDonne, offered free to area high school and college students interested in filmmaking. Complimentary seats to the screening are included.
The earlier film, Curtain Call, takes the viewers to a most unusual nursing home the Actor’s Fund Home in Englewood. Eight feisty residents recall their days as entertainers during Broadway’s golden years, as well as the rest of their spirited lives.
"The real purpose (in making our films) is to tell stories of extraordinary people that might otherwise not get told," says the elder Mr. Kalafer. "Hopefully, these works will motivate and inspire all of us to do everything that we can to be helpful. I want to make certain that we include these important messages, but not in the traditional Hollywood way. The motivation is not commercial. This is not about special effects. It’s about people."
Ms. Ilibigaza was already working on a book about her experience when she contacted Steve Kalafer after seeing his documentary Sister Rose’s Passion. While her book Left to Tell went into publication through Hay House, the documentary was developed separately. Blending interviews with Ms. Ilibigaza and others who survived the 1994 genocide with news footage of the killings, the Kalafers have woven a personal vision of courage, faith and determination. The filmmakers also show the breathtaking scenery of the central African country.
"We want to go back," Jonathan says. "Rwanda is a beautiful country. There’s this color of green in the foliage that you can’t describe. You can get an idea on the DVD, but you have to see it in person to really appreciate the way the country looks. We found such peace and tranquility there as we were able to walk among the people. (I am also moved) by the level of reconciliation they’ve been able to achieve between the Hutus and the Tutsis."
"It’s a beautiful country with wonderful, friendly and generous people," Steve says. "The world’s opinion of Rwanda is very different from what it is."
Ms. Ilibigaza has been called the "Anne Frank of Rwanda." Renowned author Dr. Wayne Dyer appears on camera to speak of her almost transcendent quality. In the forward to Ms. Ilibigaza’s book, he describes feeling captured by her "exceptionally high energy."
The Kalafers also felt her extraordinary spiritual nature.
"Everybody did," Jonathan says. "We witnessed this time and time again, whenever we had a meeting with her and other people. There’s definitely a type of higher energy there."
Steve Kalafer has been involved in independent film and television projects since 1983, receiving numerous accolades including the 2004 Tribeca Film Festival Short Documentary Award for Sister Rose’s Passion. Under the Kean administration, he was a member of the N.J. Motion Picture and Television administration. This is the first foray into film for co-producer Jonathan Kalafer, who teaches digital music and video production at Dickinson High School in Jersey City.
"It was a powerful experience working with my father and helping him tell this important story," Jonathan says. "We’ve worked together before but this was our first time taking on a project like this from beginning to end."
An Evening of Documentary Shorts by Steve Kalafer and Peter LeDonne will be held
at the Hunterdon Museum of Art, 7 Lower Center St., Clinton, Feb. 10, 6 p.m. for
VIP reservations, 7 p.m. general reservations. Admission costs $50 VIP, $25 general.
For information, call (908) 735-8415, ext. 21. On the Web: www.hunterdonartmuseum.org

