In the north of Sudan, life has changed little in the past hundred years. The people living in the villages along the waterways there farm the same crops with the same techniques, raise the same livestock, and time their years with the same constellations as their ancestors. It’s a simple existence, but their communities are strong. We see the village of Abu Haraz celebrate a new life, the children learning in the town school, families helping with farming or watching children play, and management of the village’s legitimately ancient generator, which provides the town with nighttime power. History oozes from every brick holding up the homes in the tightly knit community. All of this is at stake as government authorities demand the village rip up its roots and relocate to a desert toward the south where houses have been prepared. The people of Abu Haraz fight against this displacement, but can they win the fight alone?
The final years of construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam haunt this narrative like a spirit, although the project is never explicitly named. I feel this lack of exposition will be the largest impact on viewer enjoyment: those who aren’t in the know will feel as if there is something they don’t understand going on. Those who know about the decades-long process of creating and powering this dam will find the most use and beauty in this documentary, so if your collection serves large African studies or anthropology programs, you should consider Abu Haraz an unofficial Editor’s Choice. For public library collections, however, it will see less informative use and more for visual satisfaction. Polish filmmaker Maciej J. Drygas pulls out all the stops in his cinematography, creating an enduring portrait of a town now drowned by an artificial lake. Those looking for such artistic experiences will be very pleased, but those looking for information about the widespread effects of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam will find Abu Haraz somewhat lacking in hard facts and exposition. Highly Recommended.
What academic subjects or university courses would benefit from this Sudan documentary?
Abu Haraz is particularly well suited for upper-level courses in African studies, anthropology, environmental studies, geography, and development studies. Rather than presenting a conventional overview of the issues surrounding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, the documentary offers an intimate portrait of a community facing displacement and the loss of its cultural heritage. It works best alongside readings or lectures that provide the broader political and historical context, allowing students to connect large-scale development projects with their human consequences. Its observational style also makes it an excellent example for documentary filmmaking and ethnographic film courses.
Which library audiences should watch Abu Haraz?
Patrons interested in African history, documentary filmmaking, cultural preservation, and international cinema will find much to appreciate in Abu Haraz. Its breathtaking cinematography and patient observational approach make it especially appealing to viewers who enjoy visually driven documentaries, while those already familiar with the history of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam will gain the most from its understated storytelling. Libraries serving African studies programs, anthropology departments, or audiences interested in global cultures will find it a particularly valuable addition, while public library viewers looking for an artistic documentary will also appreciate its striking portrait of a disappearing community.
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