Act of Kindness

Feature-length documentary Act of Kindness follows the search for one very helpful man, in a country of 11 million people. In 1999 Kiwi Sven Pannell arrived penniless in Rwanda, after bribing himself out of a worrying encounter with rebel militia in Burundi. He was saved by a street beggar who spoke perfect English. Eight years later Pannell got the chance to return to Rwanda with camera in hand, and say thanks — so long as he can track his saviour down. Directed by Pannell and Costa Botes (Forgotten Silver), the documentary is a portrait of compassion, obsession, and a nation recovering from tragedy.

I never knew what the hell I was going to do if it just fizzled and I made no progress. But it always felt to me like a story worth telling, and that the power of the story might just be enough to drive the fates towards some sort of ending.

– Sven Pannell on his search for a Rwandan named Johnson

Key Cast & Crew

Costa Botes

Co-Director, Editor

Sven Pannell

Co-Director, Subject, Camera Operator

Matt Stutter

Sound Design, Sound Mix

Richard Heacock

Composer

Olive Musique

Composer

Fabrice Kirwa

Camera Operator, Subject