NŪR (Congo, The Democratic Republic of the) by Ryan Youngblood
17m
Tricked by a persuasive recruiter and pressured by his best friend, Nūr leaves his mother and younger siblings to join the Islamic State in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He believes he will be given a job and earn money to support his family, but instead finds himself in a remote jungle camp where the hyper-violent group radicalizes and indoctrinates its combatants. Here, it is truly kill or be killed. While his friend Ibra learns to thrive in this distorted world, Nūr struggles to maintain his identity and his faith. Then, a mysterious flyer dropped from a plane promises a possible path home. Nūr must decide whether saving himself is worth risking his life. The Islamic State in the Democratic Republic of Congo is the deadliest rebel force in a nation torn apart by two decades of war. Hidden deep within the jungle, their secrecy and ruthless control have made it nearly impossible for the outside world to glimpse life inside their camps—until now. This film brings that hidden world to life. Former fighters who surrendered, and survivors who endured the group’s brutality, step into the roles of both victim and perpetrator to recreate the terrifying reality of life inside the jihadists’ strongholds. Filmed at the foot of the Rwenzori Mountains in Central Africa—where the conflict still rages today—this is a rare, unflinching journey into the heart of the Islamic State in the DRC.
Running time: 00:17:57