In recent years, there has been an increase in Tanzania in the deaths of albinos. At the heart of the problem, are widespread misconceptions that albinos' body parts bring good luck and wealth.
To stop the atrocities, Torner thought he needed to confront the group he believed was the source of these rumors: witchdoctors.
And that's what brought him to the depths of this cave, face to face with his "enemy."
"We call you a spirit because a white person like you is the devil," readily admits the witchdoctor.
"You're saying I'm a white demon?" Torner hits back, "we are demons?"
The reply: "Yes, because you're white."
'In the Shadow of the Sun'
This dramatic confrontation is one of the most intense moments captured in a new documentary, called "In the Shadow of the Sun."
The independent film,
shot by director Harry Freeland, chronicles the life story of Torner and
his fight for acceptance of albinos in a country where little is known
about the genetic disorder.
"My heart always is
still looking the recognition of people with albinism in this world,"
says Torner, who's been an advocate for albino rights since 2004. "Just
to recognize that we are here."
Torner and Freeland
spent six years creating the film. The director's inspiration to make a
documentary on albinism came nearly a decade ago, when he had one of his
first encounters with someone with the disorder in Senegal.
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