Madonna’s New Documentary Film: I AM BECAUSE WE ARE

A film describing the journey that Madonna embarks on, exploring the lives of children who have orphaned by AIDS, and have suffered more than one can sometimes imagine. Set in Malawi, Africa, Madonna leads us through many heart-wrenching stories that ultimately remind us how interconnected we are. We are introduced to a culture that at times will feel disturbing, but ultimately it will challenge us and call us to action.

Documentary features President Bill Clinton, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Prof. Jeffrey Sachs.

http://www.iambecauseweare.com/

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The final hearing in Madonna’s prolonged adoption case has been postponed after a new human rights report suggests the ruling could be illegal.

Malawi’s High Court was expected to finalize the pop star’s two-year-long adoption of David Banda, 2, on Thursday, but the Human Rights Commission (HRC) would like further review of the case that has been riddled with controversy from the start. Malawian laws prevent non-residents from adopting in the country, leading critics to accuse the government of giving Madonna special treatment.

“What we want is … consideration of certain procedures that conform with international conventions on child rights and what our law says, otherwise, as it stands, everything is illegal and the person who wants to adopt the child does not qualify until the judge finds solutions to it,” HRC Chairman Dorothy Nyasulu told Reuters.

Madonna, who announced Tuesday she wasn’t going to attend Thursday’s now-cancelled hearing, is not at all fazed by this delay, her lawyer says.

“I’m confident that the adoption will go through because my client has met all the requirements and the government is satisfied that she qualifies,” Alan Chinula said.

According to the non-binding HRC report, a person must live in Malawi for at least 18 months to qualify as a resident. Needless to say, the London-based, globetrotting Madonna has not been in the African country the past year and a half.

Following review, a new hearing will be held next week. An exact date was not announced.

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Madonna will not attend the final court ruling on her request to adopt a Malawian child because she is busy with other engagements, her lawyer said on Tuesday.

The High Court is expected to approve Madonna’s bid to formally adopt 2-year-old David Banda at a final session on Thursday. Malawi’s government and David’s father — his only surviving parent — have endorsed the adoption.

“We are going to court on Thursday, but Madonna will not be there because she is not coming,” Madonna’s lawyer, Alan Chinula told Reuters. “The judge has indicated that he cannot object to her being absent when making the ruling.”

Chinula said Madonna had “other engagements,” which he declined to disclose.

A court clerk said Madonna’s lawyer has asked for a later court date — the singer’s third request for a postponement — because their client “had other business matters to deal with.” He confirmed the judge could go ahead without her.

The adoption has been controversial, with critics accusing the government of skirting laws that ban non-residents from adopting children in Malawi, a southern African nation ravaged by an AIDS epidemic that has left more than 1 million orphans.

But one of Malawi’s fiercest critics of Madonna’s adoption bid, the Human Rights Consultative Committee, said on Monday it was no longer interested in pursuing the case, removing another obstacle.

Madonna began adoption proceedings in 2006, and David has been living with the singer and her husband, film director Guy Ritchie, in their London home since then. She took custody of David when he was 13 months old after his father had placed him in an orphanage following the death of his wife.

David’s father, Yohane Banda, told Reuters Television this week, “This is what I wanted, that Madonna should keep the child.”

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Rosie O’Donnell is hoping to persuade pal Madonna to direct an episode of hit plastic surgery drama Nip/Tuck, after playing a recurring role on the show.

The actress and TV personality has played lottery winner Dawn Budge on a handful of episodes of Nip/Tuck, since making a naked debut in 2006 – and now she wants her pal to get on the set.

Show regular Kelly Carlson says, “Madonna’s been approached because Rosie is on our show and they’re very good friends. I’ve begged the producers to get her on the show. She has such a great mind for stuff like this that I think she’d be a great director for an episode. I would also love to have Madonna on as a character.”

Do you watch Nip/Tuck? I do, and I think Madonna would make a great addition to the show.

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Also performing with Madonna, was Justin Timberlake.

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It seemed like a perfectly glitzy night out when Madonna, clad in a jaw-droppingly beautiful Gucci frock, debuted her new movie, I Am Because We Are, at the Tribeca Film Festival last night.

No, it wasn’t another starring role in one of her husband Guy Ritchie’s movies, à la Swept Away, but a serious documentary on orphans in Malawi — including footage of her very own adopted son, David Banda, before he became part of her brood.

Madonna produced and narrated the film. Explaining her connection to the work she’s done on behalf of the orphans in Malawi, including spearheading the aid group Raising Malawi, Madonna told New York magazine, “I myself feel like a motherless child. I grew up that way.” Perhaps it’s finally time to retire the “Material Mom” catchphrase.

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