The Diary of a Volunteer

Overview

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.

Keywords

Cast

Robert Morin

Jean-Marc Phaneuf

Rose Twagirayezu

Églantine

Chantal Gatore

Pauline

Rémi Muhirwa Ciza

Léopold

Jani Alban

Mathilde

Patrice Faye

Jacques

André Lanthier

Ambassadeur du Canada

Capitaine Madimba

Omar

Dominique Puthod

Didier

Freddy Sibomana

Benoit