S.L.I.F.F. Review: ‘Pray the Devil Back to Hell’

Melissa:

It’s hard not to be moved by this documentary. The women’s movement for peace in Liberia is both moving and inspiring. Pray the Devil Back to Hell does a great job in telling their story.

in 1989, a civil war broke out in Liberia. Led by Charles Taylor, he assembled his own group of rebels, and between them and the Liberian Army attacking civilians, no one was safe. Liberians were forced to live amongst the civil war for a decade. Their children had to live in the fear of being recruited into the war. The women, both young and old had to live in fear of being raped, and they all had the fear of either being killed or having their family members massacred. Under Taylor’s rule, his goup of radicals slowly gained control of most of the country.

Finally, the women of Liberia had enough. They soon assembled together, both Christians and Muslims, and put their desire for peace into action. Through sit ins, nonviolence, and staying strong, these women started an entire peace movement that could not be ignored any longer. All of these events led to the Accra Comprehensive Peace Agreement, and the resignation of Charles Taylor as President.

This film shows historic clips that are quite disturbing. Children with guns, bodies, families running away from gunshots with their young children, and total civilian chaos help to show just some of their struggle, without being overly graphic. Some of the key players involved in the peace movement are interviewed as well. For living in such a terrifying situation, they tell their tales in a very articulate fashion that is both distressing and uplifting.

The women interviewed… Janet Johnson Bryant, Etweda Cooper, Vaiba Flomo, Leymah Gbowee, Asatu Bah Kenneth, and Etty Weah, tell their story with pride. There are still tears shed for the horror that they not only witnessed, but lived through, but there is an overall sense of peace ad accomplishment. What is even more impressive is to hear how they now forgive the young soldiers who ran amok amongst their communities. Instead of holding on to hate, some are involved in programs to rehabilitate these individuals who were once gun toting degenerates. That takes a strength that I cannot even imagine!

It’s hard not to be inspired by a story that involves people mobilizing in a peaceful fashion and standing up for their rights. The way that they remained nonviolent was very Gandhian. They used their voices and their presence for impact.

[Overall: 4 stars out of 5]

Festival Screening Date: Friday, November 21 @ 7:00pm (Tivoli)