Katiba Banat: Sisters in Arms

Katiba Banat: Sisters in Arms uncovers the previously hidden stories of Canadian women who helped liberate South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation. Displaced by war as teenagers, they were trained and armed for battle and formed lifelong bonds rooted in shared hope for a more secure future for their children and their nation. In this intimate five-part documentary series, they share their stories for the first time.

Amel, Yar, Lucy, Amoul and their “sisters in arms” joined the Katiba Banat, the women’s regiment of the SPLA, during the Second Sudanese Civil War (1983-2005) and immigrated to Canada over 20 years ago. They haven’t seen one another in person for decades. The series weaves together their stories of young lives interrupted by civil war, archival footage, a trip to modern day South Sudan and the Kakuma region where many South Sudanese refugees still live and a long-awaited reunion.

The series was produced and directed by Vancouver filmmaker Adhel Arop, the daughter of Katiba Banat veteran Amel Aluk, in association with Rogers Sports & Media, the Canadian Media Fund, Rogers Documentary Fund, Rogers Telefund, Creative BC, The Province of British Columbia Film Incentive and the Canadian Film or Video Tax Credit.