This Article is From Oct 19, 2010

African 'Slumdog Millionaire' opens in London

London: It's being billed as the African 'Slumdog Millionaire' -  a film about a group of children from Rwanda who walk more than 3,000 miles to South Africa's World Cup using only a wall chart to guide them.

In Africa United, these youngsters negotiate a series of dangerous, hilarious and often bizarre situations through seven different countries in a desperate attempt to reach the World Cup tournament in South Africa.

One of the reasons they must get there is to show off the soccer skills of teenager Fabrice, played by Roger Nsengiyumva, who has the chance to take part in the opening ceremony.

In 1994, Rwanda suffered a genocide when an estimated 800,000 people were murdered in fighting between Tutsis and Hutus. Roger, originally from Rwanda, fled to Britain after his father was killed.

"My mum left after the genocide to leave in Norwich to find peace and get her life back together. I left when I was one-and-a half, maybe two-years-old, strange place to come straight after a genocide, but it's lovely."
 
An uplifting story with many comical moments, Africa United also looks at some of the hard hitting issues that Rwanda faces today including child soldiers and HIV.
 
Africa United had its premiere in London and will be released in the UK on October 22.
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