Through the eyes of Sierra Leonean filmmakers, Survivors presents an unforgettable portrait of the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. The team focuses their lens on unfolding stories of Sierra Leonean heroism all around them. Through the courageous stories of local Sierra Leonean nursing staff, volunteers, patients and their families, we see enduring humanity amidst the outbreak. Banker White and Anna Fitch are collaborating with African filmmakers Arthur Pratt and Lansana Mansaray.
In spring of 2014, Ebola struck West Africa. The outbreak spread rapidly into the congested settlements of Freetown, the capital city of Sierra Leone. Tensions between international aid groups and locals impeded progress. International information messaging on how to stop the spread of the disease failed and highlighted the need for quality indigenous media inclusion. This outbreak is now widely regarded as the most acute public health crisis of the modern era.
The philosophy behind WeOwnTV's work in Sierra Leone has always been that no one is more qualified to help Sierra Leone than Sierra Leoneans themselves. This had never proved as true and significant as it did in the midst of this crisis. Survivors has the power to affect real change with the way in which the international community deals with unfolding health crises, and also basic ways we as human beings empathize and understand one another.
Our goal in producing this documentary content is to ensure that African filmmakers and journalists are a major part of reporting on and documenting this outbreak. We will focus on community members, nurses, doctors, burial team workers, and survivors and present a human side to the pandemic. Our belief is that this authentic African voice will encourage compassion and understanding and help pave the way for healing and progress for Sierra Leone and it's neighbors both now and into the future.
