War Witch 2013

During a brutal civil war in sub-Saharan Africa, a 12-year-old girl named Komona finds herself in a nightmare when she is abducted by a rebel faction that raids her village, led by a warlord infamously known as the Great Tiger. Tragically, the rebels force Komona to commit the unthinkable: she is compelled to kill her own parents. Soon after, she is taken to a desolate island with numerous other children, all of whom are subjected to inhumane treatment. They’re not only used as porters but are also trained to wield automatic weapons and thrust into the chaos of war.

As she drags herself through this harrowing experience, God gives her a bizarre gift. After drinking tree sap, she begins to have vivid hallucinations that eventually help her survive an onslaught. Her miraculous ability leads the Great Tiger to brand her a child witch, seeing her visions as an asset in the ongoing conflict.

In the midst of her turmoil, Komona forms a bond with a boy named Magician, who has albinism. Together, they dream of escaping the clutches of the rebels and find refuge with her uncle. In a twist of fate, her uncle expresses a desire to marry her and promises to catch a rare white rooster as a means to solidify her consent. Although he manages to capture the bird, their plan is abruptly shattered when a commander from the Great Tiger’s ranks tracks Komona down and kidnaps her, leading to the tragic death of Magician.

Later, after being forced to become the concubine of this commander, Komona’s resilience shines through when she takes back her agency by killing him and fleeing to the safety of her uncle. Throughout this emotional journey, she recounts her life story to her unborn child. In her quest to return home and lay her parents to rest—who have continued to haunt her—she unexpectedly goes into labor and gives birth to a son, naming him after her beloved Magician as a tribute to their enduring love amidst the horrors they endured.