Peace Commandos

Skye Fitzgerald's compelling documentary short focuses on a pair of organizations dedicated to bringing some degree of peace to the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo: Mines Advisory Group, a humanitarian endeavor that collects and destroys weapons stores, and Search for Common Ground, a performance troupe that uses interactive street theater to preach the concepts of cooperation and tolerance. Presenting the idea of peace in a country that has suffered some of the most extraordinary levels of wartime fatalities in modern times is no mean feat, and one can't help but wonder whether either enterprise will possibly make any substantial impact—particularly when so many factions, both Congolese and international, are financially profiting from the continued bloodshed. Nonetheless, they push forward with their missions: Mines Advisory Group does manage to remove some weapons, while Search for Common Ground reaches out to the public (including a large number of children) with their breezy yet wise performances. Peace Commandos is told largely from the perspective of individuals involved in the two organizations, ultimately providing a rare insider view on the violence and poverty in this troubled region. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)