In 1994, Rwanda was ripped apart by 100 days of civil war resulting in almost a million deaths during an act of ‘ethnic cleansing’ between warring Tutsi and Hutu clans. Many thousands survived by escaping the genocide on their bicycles. Now, T. C. Johnstone’s documentary, Rising From Ashes, the result of six years labour, has successfully brought a remarkable, good news story to light from the cinders of that country which is also known as ‘The Land of the Thousand Hills.’ It’s a land where, to this day, the bicycle is the main means of transport and is used to carry not only people, but also goods from one place to another. The bicycle is viewed as a symbol for hope and this is the main message throughout this very special documentary.

In 2005, Tom Ritchey (the inventor of the mountain bike, no less) decided to found Team Rwanda from a stable of local Rwandan cyclists and train them so they would become eligible for the 2012 Olympics. He brought in the cycling legend and bad boy Jock Boyer, the first American to ride in the Tour de France, to coach his team of survivors. The team was led by Adrien Niyonshuti, who went on to become Rwanda’s first Olympic cyclist, and who had lost 60 family members during the genocide. The other team members came from both sides of the warring factions and the idea was to break down the past and rise up, from the ashes, into a brighter future, a future that gave the men hope and a sense of security.

The documentary was 100% donor funded, developed by the Gratis 7 Media Group and Project Rwanda (formed by Ritchey, Boyer and one of the co-producers of the film, Dan Cooper), and now known as The Rising Ashes Foundation. The team members were offered a modest salary, given English lessons, taught to read and write, provided with healthcare and, to top it off, were given the responsibility of becoming ambassadors for their country. The team also started to look out for one another, in keeping with the foundation’s charter. Narrated by Forest Whitaker, himself a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Peace and Reconciliation, the story is nicely paced and accompanied by a jaunty Afro-pop soundtrack. Like Boyer (who had to look on a world map to discover where Rwanda was and to learn about its recent dark history), you will be moved by this piece of history. As the filmmakers have stated, “Rising From Ashes was created with a common goal, to tell a story of redemption, hope, and second chances. It was not about the bike, however, the bicycle became a tool that has changed a nation.” The documentary reminds us that in facing adversity, humans can come together and make up for the mistakes of the past - for where there is compassion, there is hope.

// SALT

Previewed at Studio 12, Entertainment Quarter, Sydney, on 17 April 2014




"Cycling is suffering".

In its most concentrated form, this remarkable documentary is a stunning reminder of how much goodness can still be found in a world full of tragedy. Civil war shows humanity at its most evil and one that tore through the African nation of Rwanda was the most tragic in recent history. At its height, 1 person was slain every 10 seconds for 100 days. That's 1,000,000 people murdered. On the other side of the planet, disgraced cyclist Jock Boyer was jailed. Suffering without comparison, yet he and survivors of the Rwandan genocide shared a need to heal, and through cycling, both found a way to help create a better world.

In 2006, fellow cyclist Tom Ritchey invited Boyer to coach the fledgling Team Rwanda, a rag tag group of cyclists Ritchey felt could make the London Olympics. Over the next six years he charts their progress from enthusiasts to professionals. Yet Rising From Ashes is more than a 'Cool Runnings' style heart-warmer. While change frames this story (when the team flies to South Africa, one member had never been in a car, much less a plane), it is reconciliation that pins the film together. This is as much about Rwanda dealing with its dark history (the team's best hope had lost sixty family members during the genocide), as it is with Boyer processing his own demons.

“Cycling is about suffering,” he said as men who've known their fair share ride to escape the past and find hope in the future. It's this understanding coupled to T.C. Jonstone's thoughtfully layered direction that gives Rising From Ashes its strength, and provides insight on a little known world. But it's the final scene of an enormous family cheerfully squashed into a small mud hut to watch tiny TV images beamed from a world away (literally and metaphorically) that is truly awe-inspiring. As an impassioned Boyer said, “trophies have no value unless you can use them to do something of value.” Take a tissue, you might need it.

// COLIN FRASER

Previewed at Studio 12, Entertainment Quarter, Sydney, on 27 March 2014