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Madonna's Gardener Directs Her AIDS Film

He caught her eye making 'amazing' home movies

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 26, 2008 7:52 PM CDT

(Newser) – Madonna tapped a director whose work she knew well for her new documentary about AIDS orphans in Malawi, People reports. Nathan Rissman "was my gardener. He was my carpenter," she said. And his home videos of her kids "were amazing."

Titled I Am Because We Are, the film chronicles Madonna's first meetings with a boy in Malawi, and shows the country's shocking realities. The reality of Rissman's new career is a shock to him, too. "I have to pinch myself all the time," he said.

Malawi schoolchildren listen to the teacher in a packed classroom in the village of Chiseka, outside Lilongwe, Malawi.
Malawi schoolchildren listen to the teacher in a packed classroom in the village of Chiseka, outside Lilongwe, Malawi.   (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)
Madonna and Director Nathan Rissman arrive at the premiere of the documentary film I Am Because We Are during the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival.
Madonna and Director Nathan Rissman arrive at the premiere of the documentary film "I Am Because We Are" during the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival.   (AP Photo/Peter Kramer)
Madonna holds David Banda in her arms.
Madonna holds David Banda in her arms.   (AP Photo)
Madonna hold her son David Banda in her arms as she pose for photographers with her daughter Lourdes.
Madonna hold her son David Banda in her arms as she pose for photographers with her daughter Lourdes.   (AP Photo/Karel Prinsloo)
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