Ouagadougou: Corporal Yacouba Sankara is taking a novel approach to raising awareness about the challenges faced by the widows and orphans of fallen soldiers. Soon to be released, his film 'The Fighter's Legacy' serves as a medium to shed light on the hardships endured by the families of those who have died in the line of duty.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the 1 hour 20 minute feature film stars Corporal Sankara himself as a soldier who embarks on a mission and never returns, leaving his family to navigate the resultant struggles. The film delves into real-life inspired scenarios, depicting family tensions, inheritance conflicts, and instances of neglect experienced by the families left behind.

Corporal Sankara emphasizes the power of art as a tool for social change, stating, "We fight with weapons, but art is also a weapon." His intention is to draw attention to the need for supporting widows, ensuring educational opportunities for orphans, and fostering unity in families torn apart by loss.

The production of "The Fighter's Legacy" involves over 14 military and police personnel, with a budget estimated at 20.7 million FCFA. Although some funds are yet to be secured, Corporal Sankara remains optimistic about gathering the necessary support to complete the project.

"The project is moving forward and we invite all those who wish to join us to do so," said Corporal Sankara, who is also a firefighter and a member of the National Armed Forces orchestra. This initiative is the first of its kind by a member of the National Armed Forces and aims to serve as a civic resource for awareness and social unity.

Corporal Sankara hopes his endeavor will inspire other military personnel to explore filmmaking as a means of conveying important messages and ideas. "I'm very proud of it. I hope that other military personnel with ideas or messages to share will also get involved in filmmaking," he concluded.