“This is the story of World Champion Boxer, Kassim ‘The Dream’ Ouma – born in Uganda, kidnapped by the rebel army and trained to be a child soldier at the age of 6. When the rebels took over the government, Kassim became an army soldier who was forced to commit many horrific atrocities, making him both a victim and perpetrator. 
He soon discovered the army’s boxing team and realized the sport was his ticket to freedom. After 12 years of warfare, Kassim defected from Africa and arrived in the United States. Homeless and culture shocked, he quickly rose through the boxing ranks and became Junior Middleweight Champion of the World.
Kassim, now age 27, seems to have obtained the American Dream with his jovial nature, fame and hip hop lifestyle. As Kassim trains for his next world title fight against Jermain Taylor in Little Rock Arkansas, keeping his demons out of the ring becomes increasingly difficult. His desires to reunite with family in Uganda intensify when Kassim’s only hope for a safe return is a military pardon from the president and government responsible for his abduction.
From the director of ‘The Devil’s Miner,’ Kief Davidson received unprecedented access to Kassim Ouma during a pivotal time in the boxer’s career. Filmed in cinema verite, current events are skillfully woven in with brutal revelations of a stolen childhood. The parallels reveal a complex and haunted fighter surviving against incredible odds.” (source: www.kassimthedream.com)
Celebrated Film “Kassim the Dream” to Open San Joaquin Film Society’s Cinema Room with Valley Premiere, March 5th, 7:00PM
Stockton, CA, January 25, 2009 –(PR.com)– The San Joaquin Film Society (SJFS) is proud to announce that multiple award-winning, documentary film, “Kassim the Dream,” from Executive Producer Forest Whitaker and Director Kief Davidson, will make its California Central Valley Premiere at the Opening Night of the San Joaquin Film Society’s year-round Cinema Room program, at Matinée Movie Lounge, on Thursday, March 5, 2009 at 7:00PM. “Kassim the Dream” is a captivating, true life story of Kassim “The Dream” Ouma and his rise from Ugandan child soldier to world champion boxer.
Four other films in February’s Cinema Room programs will focus on the African global Diaspora and contemporary African experiences. For information on films, programs and tickets, visit www.sjiff.org/cinemaroom.
The Matinée Movie Lounge is located within the Stockton Empire Theatre complex in Stockton’s Miracle Mile District, at 1825 Pacific Avenue, Stockton, California, 95204. Seats are very limited. Tickets to this special event are $10.00 each. To order tickets, visit www.sjiff.org/tickets.
- About “Kassim the Dream”
In 2008, “Kassim the Dream” was honored with some of the world’s leading documentary film awards:
• Winner, Audience Award, AFI Fest (American Film Institute)
• Winner, Grand Jury Prize, AFI Fest (American Film Institute)
• Winner, AFM Silver Docs Award, SilverDocs
• Winner, DOC U Award, International Documentary Festival Amsterdam (IDFA)
• Nominated, the prestigious Distinguished Documentary Achievement, International Documentary Association (IDA) Awards.
About Cinema Room
SJFS Cinema Room is a unique exhibition partnership between the San Joaquin Film Society and Cibo di Vino Restaurant – Matinée Movie Lounge, to present 40 nights of film programs and special events from March to November 2009 within the intimate settings of the Matinée Movie Lounge. SJFS will present a richly-diverse collection of films, special screenings, shorts collections, guest filmmakers, mixed-media showcases, and creative discussions. Ticket prices vary depending on show.
For information on films, programs and tickets, visit www.sjiff.org/cinemaroom
About the San Joaquin Film Society
The new San Joaquin Film Society, Inc., (SJFS) is the home of the San Joaquin International Film Festival, California Central Valley’s preeminent celebration of global cinema. For 2009, in addition to the international film festival in May, SJFS launched an ambitious year of events that includes the 1st San Joaquin Children’s Film Festival in January, the 1st California International Documentary Film Festival in the Fall, the year-round Cinema Room film programs, Cinema Italia series in February, Jewish Film Week in June, Greek Cinema series in September, special events, and educational programs. SJFS is dedicated to celebrating the artistry, diversity, and power of filmmaking; and to bringing the world’s best cinema to the culturally-rich, Valley communities.
For more information, visit official website at www.sjiff.org
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