THE BOY WHO WOULDN’T DIE (2010 – 2021)
90 minute documentary

An epic story of wartorn childhoods, redemption and renewal, shattered hopes and perseverance. In 1989, a childhood friendship is filmed by journalist Patrice Barrat in a Sudanese refugee camp by day, whilst the Sudanese Peoples Liberation Army (SPLA) train the children for brutal militia activity at night. In 1991 the camp is bombed, the children thought dead. 23 years later, these 3 extraordinary lives inexplicably reconnect as they work towards peace and reconciliation within their own lives and for the future of South Sudan.

This story focuses on the life of David Nyuol Vincent, his rebuilding of his life as a community leader in Australia, and subsequent efforts to help restore peace to South Sudan. As this is being written, violence has erupted anew partly due to the Nuer followers of Dr Reik Machar, adoptive father of David’s childhood companion; the now renown rap artist, Emmanuel Jal. In a further twist of irony, David had been working recently with Dr Reik for reconcilliation in South Sudan and to restore peace. As the potential for renewed civil war in South Sudan looms large, David’s continuing story with Patrice, Emmanuel and Dr Reik examines the potential and impact of personal choice amongst the forces of politics and policy in both warring and peaceful nations.