The Diary of a Volunteer (2010) [N/A]

Release Date:
February 27, 2010

Original Title:
Journal d'un coopérant

Genres:
Drama

Production Companies:
Coop Vidéo de Montréal

Production Countries:
Burundi | Canada

Ratings / Certifications:
 N/A

Runtime: 91

Jean-Marc Phaneuf, an unmarried electrical engineer, travels to Burundi as a volunteer for the NGO Radio du Monde. He finds a country ruined by grinding poverty, famine, war, disease and appalling social inequality. At the same time, he meets a joyful, brave people hungry for happiness, knowledge and human dignity. The camera that becomes his personal diary also helps Jean-Marc expose the shaky, ineffective workings of NGOs. His investigations turn up a few praiseworthy examples of international cooperation, but on the whole he finds himself drawn to a terrible, inescapable conclusion: humanitarian aid is a utopian mirage. After falling victim to an attack and losing whatever ideals he still had, Jean-Marc becomes entangled in an impossible relationship. He is ultimately forced to leave Africa in disgrace.

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Art Direction:
Mary Lynn Deachman

Costume Design:
Patricia McNeil

Director:
Robert Morin

Director of Photography:
Robert Morin

Editor:
Michel Giroux

Original Music Composer:
Bertrand Chénier

Producer:
Stéphanie Morissette

Sound Recordist:
Olivier Léger

Writer:
Robert Morin

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