Former child soldier living in Ireland to feature in documentary at Galway Film Fleadh

The film is set to premiere on July 10.

Jerome Kamara, a former child soldier from Tanzania now living in County Wexford, and Maynooth-based filmmaker Cian Geoghegan will debut their documentary Childhood at the Galway Film Fleadh on July 10.

Kamara and Geoghegan first collaborated for the 2021 short film System, in which Kamara recounted his eight years as an asylum seeker in Direct Provision. System, also shown at the Galway Film Fleadh in 2021, discussed the mental and physiological detriment that Kamara said was caused by life in Direct Provision. Then, Kamara kept the story of his capture to himself. Now, Geoghegan said, Kamara is willing to bring the story to light.

“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," Geoghegan said.

Jerome Kamara, left, and Cian Geoghegan. Photo: Cian Geoghegan.

Filmed in Kamara's New Ross home, Childhood details Kamara's reflections on his traumatic past as his young son approaches the age he was when he was abducted and forced to serve as a child soldier. Kamara's narration tells of the rebel group that captured him, the brutal initiation rituals he was put through, his development of coping methods and his eventual escape.

Kamara said his aim in the film was to spark hope, as his dark past has inspired him to ensure his young son has the safe childhood he never had in wartime East Africa.

"My story reflects the kinds of suffering going on all over the world, and the childhoods that are lost as a result,"  Kamara said. "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.”

Geoghegan has released the trailer to Childhood, available to watch below: