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.

Cast

Robert Morin

Jean-Marc Phaneuf

N/A

Rose Twagirayezu

Églantine

N/A

Chantal Gatore

Pauline

N/A

Rémi Muhirwa Ciza

Léopold

N/A

Jani Alban

Mathilde

N/A

Patrice Faye

Jacques

N/A

André Lanthier

Ambassadeur du Canada

N/A

Capitaine Madimba

Omar

N/A

Dominique Puthod

Didier

N/A

Freddy Sibomana

Benoit