A Fork In The Road

Supported by the Arts Council of Wales and the Wales Millennium Centre Benson tells his story in his own words.

In 1995, his village was attacked by rebels who were slaughtering rival tribes and warring with the Congolese army. Separated from his parents and siblings, he endured a traumatic life threatening journey to escape. Arriving in Kyangwali refugee camp in 1997.

Despite everything he’d come through or maybe because of everything he’d been through, Benson aspired for a better future for himself and the refugee community around him. Somehow he survived many bouts of malaria, and near starvation and found the strength to study and achieve qualifications, believing that education was his only hope of freedom and a the promise of a better future for everyone.

A FORK IN THE ROAD involves film, song, physical movement and narration.

‘This is a tale of strength and endurance beyond what I believed possible; yet the strength and endurance were never mine. It is a story of faith and trust even when it seems all hope is gone; it is a story of love though it is not a love story.

Benson talked often of the pain he felt on witnessing such great sadness in his life. He never speaks in a piteous or dramatic way. He has a look that to an outsider may seem blank but when you know him you see it is a look of knowing and understanding of pain beyond words, beyond all comprehension. It knows no words, no comforting expression. It is a sharing of a love that is so profound it brings a sorrowful aching to your heart. He tells me that this is learning to cry with no sound; learning to cry with no tears.’

Jennifer Hartley, Director