The Diary of a Volunteer

Feb 27, 2010

1h 31m

★ 5.8

Overview

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.

Genres

Drama

Production Companies

Coop Vidéo de Montréal

The Diary of a Volunteer Trailers

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Cast

Jean-Marc Phaneuf

Robert Morin

Églantine

Rose Twagirayezu

Pauline

Chantal Gatore

Léopold

Rémi Muhirwa Ciza

Mathilde

Jani Alban

Jacques

Patrice Faye

Ambassadeur du Canada

André Lanthier

Omar

Capitaine Madimba

Didier

Dominique Puthod

Benoit

Freddy Sibomana

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