Former child soldier living in Wexford shares harrowing story

Jerome Kamara, a musician and child soldier originally from Tanzania, tells the story of his traumatic past in the new documentary Childhood, set to premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh…

Directed by filmmaker Cian Geoghegan, Childhood follows Kamara’s reflections on his past as his son reaches the age at which he was first captured. Having lost his innocence at such a young age, Kamara is struck by the need to give his son the childhood he never had.

The film, shot in Kamara’s home in New Ross, juxtaposes a quiet domesticity with Kamara’s moving narration, which recounts his capture, the initiation rituals he was subjected to, his strategies to keep his sanity intact and his eventual escape.

His story is harrowing but ultimately hopeful, as Kamara’s children give him the confidence and motivation to escape his inner demons and dedicate himself fully to building a better future for the next generation of Kamaras.

Director Cian Geoghegan told Wexford Weekly:

“I have had the pleasure to be Jerome’s friend and collaborator for the past five years, and his courage and optimism has been a major inspiration to me. I am exceptionally proud of the film we have made together, and how vulnerable and fearless Jerome has been in telling his story.”

“We are delighted to screen Childhood at the Galway Film Fleadh, and we can’t wait for audiences to see it. The film shows that you can never make assumptions about people’s backgrounds and that you often have no idea what hardships people have endured before finding sanctuary on our shores. When Jerome’s neighbours see him out food shopping or taking his son to school, they are oblivious to the horrors he has witnessed, and the strength he exhibits each day by just living a normal life.”

“Jerome first told me his story four years ago, back when he would only share the darkness of his past with those close to him. When he came to me last year with the desire to make a film about his experience, I knew a thoughtful, considered approach was needed to do the story justice.”

Speaking to Wexford Weekly, Jerome Kamara said:

“Cian is a brother for life to me, and my hope is that Childhood helps others in my situation feel less alone. My story reflects the kinds of suffering going on all over the world, and the childhoods that are lost as a result. There are kids today who have been robbed of their innocence, or even their lives, simply because they were born in a conflict zone. As a global village, we need to stop looking at violence and warfare as a solution.”

Childhood will have its world premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh, Ireland’s foremost festival for domestic and international films. It will be screened as part of an Irish documentary shorts programme, taking place at the Town Hall Theatre at 12pm, Thursday 10 July.

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