Hot Docs Review: "A Small Act"

“She didn’t just give me money. She gave me hope.” Those were the words of Chris Mburu, the central character in Jennifer Arnold’s Hot Docs documentary A Small Act. Mburu was referring to Hilde Back, the woman who changed his life.

Holocaust survivor Back sent $15 per term to Kenya for years to sponsor a less fortunate child through a program in Sweden. Mburu was the beneficiary of Back’s kindness. Unbeknownst to Back, that kid will turn out to be a Harvard Law graduate and a United Nations officer. In return, Mburu formed a similar sponsorship program in Kenya: the Hilde Back Education Fund. He named it after his childhood hero, despite never having met her at the time.

A Small Act looks into the special relationship between Mburu and Back. It takes viewers into the tale of their first meeting to the continuing growth of their friendship. Director Arnold also incorporates the stories of three bright children from a small village in Kenya who aspire to receive sponsorships from Mburu’s foundation.

With a Pay it Forward-esque type of premise, the film delivers an in-depth look into the political conflict in the African country, the despair surrounding Kenyan youth, and the few strangers who work hard to make a difference. Arnold effortlessly weaved the different narratives into the documentary and also managed to insert humour into scenes that depicted the children’s poverty. A triumphant, feel-good story of hope and kindness, A Small Act received a much-deserved standing ovation from the audience in its Hot Docs premiere.

A Small Act will be screening repeats on May 5 and 9. For more information, visit www.hotdocs.ca. The documentary will also premiere on HBO on July 12.