The Diary of a Volunteer (2010)

The Diary of a Volunteer (2010) poster

Jean-Marc Phaneuf, an unmarried electrical engineer, travels to Burundi as a volunteer for the NGO Radio du Monde. He finds a country ruined by grinding poverty, famine, war, disease and appalling social inequality. At the same time, he meets a joyful, brave people hungry for happiness, knowledge and human dignity. The camera that becomes his personal diary also helps Jean-Marc expose the shaky, ineffective workings of NGOs. His investigations turn up a few praiseworthy examples of international cooperation, but on the whole he finds himself drawn to a terrible, inescapable conclusion: humanitarian aid is a utopian mirage. After falling victim to an attack and losing whatever ideals he still had, Jean-Marc becomes entangled in an impossible relationship. He is ultimately forced to leave Africa in disgrace.

Director: Robert Morin
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 91 min
Release Date:

Cast

Screenplay

Music: Bertrand Chénier
Cinematography: Robert Morin
Editing: Michel Giroux
Production: Coop Vidéo de Montréal
Country: Burundi, Canada
Language: English, Français
Budget: $1M
Original Language: fr

Themes

Social Commentary and Reflection

Keywords

corruption, africa, inequality, cooperation

More Films by Director: Robert Morin
More Films in Genre: Drama

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Diary of a Volunteer about?
Jean-Marc Phaneuf, an unmarried electrical engineer, travels to Burundi as a volunteer for the NGO Radio du Monde. He finds a country ruined by grinding poverty, famine, war, disease and appalling social inequality. At the same time, he meets a joyful, brave people hungry for happiness, knowledge and human dignity. The camera that becomes his personal diary also helps Jean-Marc expose the shaky, ineffective workings of NGOs. His investigations turn up a few praiseworthy examples of international cooperation, but on the whole he finds himself drawn to a terrible, inescapable conclusion: humanitarian aid is a utopian mirage. After falling victim to an attack and losing whatever ideals he still had, Jean-Marc becomes entangled in an impossible relationship. He is ultimately forced to leave Africa in disgrace.
Who directed The Diary of a Volunteer?
The Diary of a Volunteer was directed by Robert Morin.
Who stars in The Diary of a Volunteer?
The Diary of a Volunteer stars Robert Morin, Rose Twagirayezu , Chantal Gatore, Rémi Muhirwa Ciza, Jani Alban , Patrice Faye.
How long is The Diary of a Volunteer?
The Diary of a Volunteer has a runtime of 1h 31m (91 minutes).
What genre is The Diary of a Volunteer?
The Diary of a Volunteer is a Drama film.
What is the budget of The Diary of a Volunteer?
The Diary of a Volunteer had a budget of $1M.
Where was The Diary of a Volunteer produced?
The Diary of a Volunteer was produced in Burundi, Canada.
What are the themes of The Diary of a Volunteer?
The themes of The Diary of a Volunteer include: Social Commentary and Reflection.