Lend Me Your Voice

Ntiza Ijwi

Akili, a young refugee in Rwanda who has endured a long and painful journey, sits with strangers and invites them to read her story.

Akili has lived a difficult life, leaving the Congo for Burundi as a refugee, and then having to flee to Rwanda. Her family was displaced and separated, she has held in prison, tortured, and threatened with death. Through all this, her strength and resilience kept her going. She found a place for herself in the world of boxing, but misogyny also took that dream from her.

In an experiment with human empathy Akili sits with strangers and reads them her story. Through this act she tries to deal with the many losses she has lived through.

Content Guidance: Film contains discussions on physical violence and torture.

This film will screen as part of the short film compilation I Am Your Sister.