Football Rwanda, Fields of Memories
François-Xavier Destors, Marie Thomas-Penette
2014 - 95 min - HDCam - Couleur et Noir & Blanc - France

Eugène Murangwa, the former goalkeeper of the most popular club in Rwanda and national team, survived the genocide thanks to his team-mates. More than 15 years after leaving the country, Eugène returns to his native land to pass on the values of a sport which saved him in 1994 to the young people of an association that he created with former football players. He then begins a journey on the tracks of his own story, exploring the cultural, social and political roots of his sport.
Illustrated with previously unseen archives, “Football Rwanda: fields of memories” throws a new light on the history of Rwanda through football, a sport which served the “civilizing” mission of the colonizer, allowed the Hutu Power to mobilize the youth and helped the reconstruction of the country after the genocide.
Through testimonies, the film reveals the commitment of the survivors to the young generations which crystallize the hope of the Rwanda of tomorrow.