Often while watching a film I will think of people who I think would enjoy it. This week while watching the 2006 documentary, God Grew Tired of Us, I thought, Every Parkview person should see this film. Seriously, that’s what I thought.

Many of us know some of the story of the lost boys of Sudan. This film tells the story of their long, sometimes horrific, journey from Sudan to Ethiopia to Kenya and eventually to resettlement in the USA. There are a couple of difficult scenes to watch towards the beginning as we see the affects of the forced migration across a brutal landscape. Hundreds of the lost boys died of hunger, thirst, and wild animal attack as they fled their country’s civil war.

Most of the documentary tracks the young men once they arrive in their new hometowns in the USA. It is fascinating (and sometimes a bit embarrassing) to view our American culture through the eyes of the lost boys.

Many of the films we watch are highly entertaining. Hey, I like a good exploding car as much as the next guy. But every once and a while a film comes along that has the potential to nudge us out of our comfort. As a friend of mine says, sometimes we need a film to “afflict the comfortable.” God Grew Tired of Us has too many humorous and touching moments to be called afflicting. But it did make me think and Maggie and I were still talking about it over breakfast the next day.

The next time you’re looking for some weekend entertainment, maybe this little documentary will make the short list of options. Here’s the trailer: