Witness – Dream on Hold

Embark on a poignant journey with “Witness: Dream On Hold,” as tens of thousands of southern Sudanese return to their homeland, celebrating the birth of South Sudan as the world’s newest country. Angelo Angwei, one among them, sets foot on his ancestral land after two decades of civil war. Filled with hope and expectation, Angelo’s quest for a fresh start in the south unravels, revealing a stark reality that challenges his dreams of belonging and freedom.

Having grown up in the north after his mother was displaced by war in 1986, Angelo longs to escape the hardships of his past and seek a better life in South Sudan. However, his dreams are met with the harsh truth that the south is not what he envisioned. Despite relentless efforts to secure employment and support his family, Angelo’s search for work proves futile, leaving them reliant on intermittent funds from his older brother in the north and handouts from the World Food Programme (WFP).

While Angelo’s mother finds solace in the temporary aid provided by WFP, he grapples with the reality of dependency, yearning to break free from the confines of a place that does not offer the opportunities he had hoped for. Faced with the harsh realities of survival, Angelo decides to return to the north after four months, seeking to reclaim his “old life” and pursue a future of his own making.

“Witness: Dream On Hold” offers an intimate portrayal of Angelo’s journey, capturing the complexities of hope, disillusionment, and the resilience of the human spirit. As South Sudan takes its first steps as an independent nation, the documentary provides an unfiltered glimpse into the challenges and aspirations of its people.

Angelo’s story embodies the aspirations of many who yearn for a promising future in their homeland. Witness his struggles, victories, and the difficult decision to return to a familiar past in search of a life that allows him to shape his destiny.