Somewhere in sub-Saharan Africa, in a small isolated village, 14-year-old Komona (Rachel Mwanza) lived peacefully with her parents until the day the rebels came. They pillaged the village, captured Komona and forced her to commit an irreparable act: slay her parents. In the rebels’ camp, the training is merciless: Komona is hungry, scared, and the Rebel Leader, who has no pity for her tears, repeatedly beats her if she cries. She quickly learns to endure, to fight, and above all, to survive. During a battle waged against the government’s army, only Komona is spared. The rebels’ chief sees this as a sign and declares her the new sorceress. She is soon brought to Great Tiger, the supreme leader of all the rebels, who makes her his war witch.

Only one person is willing to help and listen to her, a 15-year-old boy named Magicien. With the passing months, the two fall in love. They experience an all too brief moment of what happiness can be, until the war catches up with them. As time passes, Komona wishes to forget the past, but is plagued by her parents’ ghosts. She soon realizes she must take the long journey back to her village and put their ghosts to rest.

As Komona, Rachel Mwanza gives a breathtakingly raw and emotional performance that has netted her awards on both sides of the Atlantic. Rebelle (formerly known as War Witch) is a heartfelt and enthralling drama about the remarkable endurance of the human spirit.