An Independent Documentary by Elena Levon

Seven months before the coup. One woman. One camera. A nation divided by broken trust.

Mali, January-February 2020

Seven months before a military coup would overthrow Mali’s government, independent filmmaker Elena Levon entered the streets of Bamako alone, wearing a black headscarf and carrying a camera. Amid demonstrations, burning French flags and passionate speeches, she recorded the voices of women, elders and protesters expressing their anger over insecurity, foreign intervention and the authorities they believed had failed them.

But filming was dangerous. Suspected of being a French journalist who might misrepresent the protesters, Levon was protected by local men who formed a circle around her in the crowd. Her journey continued toward Djenne, where she sought to interview armed Donso hunters resisting authorities they believed had abandoned their communities. There, a man on a motorcycle pointed a loaded shotgun at her. Without a film crew, security team or anyone to negotiate on her behalf, she had to convince him that she had not come to spread lies, but to give local people an opportunity to speak.

After discussions involving a senior Donso chief in Bamako, Levon received permission to film and met with local chiefs to document their perspectives on conflict, community defense, rebellion and broken trust. Filmed months before Mali’s August 2020 military coup, this independent documentary preserves firsthand testimony from a period of escalating political tension.

Shot with handheld cameras, without a conventional production crew, Voices of War: Mali — Broken Trust is a raw, intimate account of people confronting heartbreaking realities of war — and of one woman determined to hear their truth.

• Runtime: 30 Minutes

• Year: 2021

• 100% Ad-Free

• Language: Original spoken languages, with English subtitles

Gifts:

• OPIUM DEN - Art Film
  Sicily, Italy (2020) - Lamu, Kenya (2021) - A sensual exploration of memory, movement, and passion — and the words left unspoken between them.

• YOUTHFUL FOOLS - Podcast Episode

• “Choose to collect memories instead of things” - Elena Levon (Unique card download)

• Access to private instagram account @realelenalevon with all archives and Q&A’s from 2018

IMPACT

“A portion of proceeds from my online store is dedicated to helping individuals, families and local communities in need in Africa and elsewhere — directly, personally, and whenever possible, from my hands to theirs.” - Elena Levon

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