• Madonna Brings Malawi To Cannes


  • Rachel Strickland
    5/02/2008

    1:04 PM       

  • Raising Malawi is excited to report that I Am Because We Areis set to be screened on May 21, 2008 at the 61st Annual Cannes International Film Festival. The film’s highly anticipated European debut is presented as part of amfAR’s Cinema Against AIDS event.

    On the following night, Madonna will co-chair amfAR’s fifteenth annual Cinema Against AIDS fundraising gala at Le Moulin de Mougins. This year, the highlight of the evening will be a four-minute clip of I Am Because We Are, the acclaimed documentary about the orphan crisis in Malawi written and produced by Raising Malawi co-founder Madonna.

    Madonna's long history with amfAR began in 1992 when she received the foundation’s Award Of Courage. She will be joined by Sharon Stone, Harvey Weinstein, Kenneth Cole and others for a formal dinner and live auction.

    For more information reservations and details,
    please call (212) 219-0297 or visit www.amfar.org.

    To learn more about I Am Because We Are,
    please visit www.iambecauseweare.com













    Yeah, it's rough stuff. We are talking about a nation devastated by poverty and disease. We're talking more than a million orphans here. We're dealing with genital mutilation, sexual cleansing, and witchcraft. At first glance, the problem seems insurmountable. And we can't look away because, yes, it is our problem.
    But it's a great problem to have because we've got the power to solve it, and in doing so, we save ourselves as well. I guess most of us make a constant choice between our own best interests and saving the world. What I am learning from Raising Malawi, and what I see in I Am Because We Are, is that there is no difference. There is no distinction, no ‘us and them' at all. Check out the gorgeous photos at www.iambecauseweare.com. Look into the children's eyes. Now consider these pictures not as mere documentary, but as mirrors. There's no time to feel sorry. Save yourself.

    Of course, with a million orphans we need all hands in. Making miracles is hard work. But no one who views I Am Because We Are would say it isn't worth it. Watching these kids pick up the tools of transformation, take control of their lives, rise up to become the future of what is actually a stunningly beautiful country…it's truly inspiring. Suddenly I find that I'm the one who's become empowered.

    I Am Because We Are premieres in New York this Thursday April 24 at 6pm, and continues through May 3. I'll be there, and I urge you to make plans to see it. You can get show times and locations, buy advance tix, view trailers and sign up for email updates at http://www.tribecafilmfestival.org/filmguide/I_Am_Because_We_Are.html