''Johnny Mad Dog'' is a 2008 French/Liberian war film directed by Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire and based on the novel ''

Johnny chien méchant ''Johnny chien méchant'' is a 2002 novel written by Emmanuel Dongala. The English edition was adapted as a 2008 movie ''Johnny Mad Dog''. It won the 2004 Cezam Prix Littéraire Inter CE The Cezam Prix Litteraire Inter CE is a literary prize whi ...

'' (2002) by the Congolese author Emmanuel Dongala. It tells the story of a group of

child soldiers Children (defined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child as people under the age of 18) have been recruited for participation in military operations and campaigns throughout history and in many cultures. Children in the military, includ ...

fighting for the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) rebels in 2003, during the

Second Liberian Civil War The Second Liberian Civil War was a conflict in the West African nation of Liberia lasted from 1999 to 2003. It was preceded by the First Liberian Civil War, which ended in 1996. President Charles Taylor came to power in 1997 after victory in t ...

. The film stars Christopher Minie (as Johnny), Daisy Victoria Vandy (as Laokolé), Dagbeh Tweh, Barry Chernoh, Mohammed Sesay and Joseph Duo.

Plot

The teenage rebel Johnny Mad Dog leads the small group of younger boys commanded by the older General Never Die, who feeds them cocaine. The film follows the group's march towards the capital Monrovia, and follows them in a gritty realistic manner as they move through a series of towns and villages, where they terrify and often execute the population. The soldiers are depicted as almost feral, committing acts of pillage and rape, with scant regard for even their own lives. They wear a variety of outlandish outfits – including butterfly wings and a wedding dress – and have nicknames such as No Good Advice, Captain Dust to Dust, and Chicken Hair.Johnny Mad Dog
". Sundance Institute. Retrieved 4 July 2010.

Production

The actors were mostly aged 10 to 15, including Christopher Minie, Daisy Victoria Vandy, Dagbeh Tweh, Barry Chernoh, Mohammed Sesay, and Joseph Duo. All were unknowns when cast; some were themselves former child soldiers.Burke, Gavin.

". entertainment.ie. Retrieved 4 July 2010.

References

External links

* * * {{italic title 2000s political drama films 2008 films Anti-war films French war drama films French political drama films Films about child soldiers Films about war crimes Films shot in Liberia Films based on novels Liberian drama films English-language French films English-language Liberian films 2000s war drama films 2008 drama films Films directed by Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire 2000s French films