Sweet Dreams

Sweet Dreams is an enthralling documentary film from 2012, directed by siblings Lisa Fruchtman and Rob Fruchtman. Although it doesn't involve high-speed action scenes, fantasy elements, or superheroes, it captivates the audience with its heart-touching, real-life story about resilience, healing, and the power of dreams.

The story unfolds in Rwanda, a country defined by its tragic history that includes a harrowing genocide in 1994 that resulted in the loss of approximately 800,000 lives within 100 days. This horror not only left unsolvable internal wounds in the survivors' hearts and minds but also indelibly scarred the nation's identity forevermore. Sweet Dreams presents a compelling exploration of how the country and its people stride on a path of recovery.

The documentary's narrative revolves around Ingoma Nshya, Rwanda's first all-women drumming troupe. Historically, drumming was a field strictly reserved for men in Rwanda, making this group a symbol of defiance, rise, and change. The directors move deftly through the lives of these brave women, their past, their struggles, their determination, and the small yet steady steps they are taking to heal themselves and their nation.

But the story is not just about the drumming troupe. It takes a turn when one of the troupe's members, Kiki Katese, dreams of opening Rwanda's first ice cream shop. It's an idea that seems peculiar to a country where ice cream isn't a common treat. It's a symbol of joy and normalcy — reaching for a simple pleasure that was destroyed in times of brutality.

For Kiki, it's more than just about introducing her country to a sweet delicacy. It's about creating a place of peace, joy, and togetherness where people leave behind their haunting past and enjoy the sweetness of present moments in unity. To make this dream come true, Kiki partners with Jennie Dundas and Alexis Miesen of Brooklyn's Blue Marble Ice Cream. The journey of introducing a new concept to the community, finding the ingredients, setting up the business, and dealing with the everyday challenges forms the crux of the narrative.

Sweet Dreams also pays significant attention to the individual stories of the women in the drumming troupe. Each of their stories is a revelation of courage, resilience, and transformation. It's through these personal stories that the film builds a strong commentary on gender, power, revolt, and rebirth in a society that has witnessed the worst of human rights atrocities.

One of the highlights of this documentary is its exploration of music's therapeutic power. The film underscores how the collective act of creating something new (the drumming troupe and later, the ice cream parlor) serves as an antidote to the traumatic memories that loom large over these women's lives. Through rich cinematography, Sweet Dreams renders the unrestrained joy of beating the traditional drums, creating harmonious sounds, and the vivid colors and emotions at the ice cream parlor, almost making the viewers taste the sweetness of the venture.

Sweet Dreams, however, is not a whitewashed tale. It acknowledges the struggles of starting over, of forgetting, of forgiving, of reconciling with a traumatic past while living in a present burdened with drastic economic challenges. It does not hesitate to delve deep into the darkest corners of the painful past, shedding light on the complexities of human nature and the stark realities of Rwanda's socio-political scenario.

Sweet Dreams relates an emotional, thought-provoking tale of resilience and hope against a backdrop of unequaled tragedy. It is a beautiful documentary - spirited, nuanced, and rewarding. It manages to weave together the narrative strings of a nation's painful history, women's empowerment, communal healing, and the therapeutic effect of shared activities, creating a story that exudes warmth and hope amidst harsh realities. This film is a testament to how shared dreams, resilience, and perseverance of the human spirit can unite and heal, demonstrating that there is always a possibility for sweetness, even after the darkest nights.