i’m looking for a list of good/professional refugee related movies (DVD, Video, download, etc.).please add your recommendations using the “comment” option to this blog entry.
if you know where your recommendation can be ordered from, please list that with your comment.
~
here’s what i’ve got so far…
1) turtles can fly (2005) - a film about displaced iraqi children. Click here for more information about this movie.
2) journey of hope (1990) - a film about a kurdish family getting smuggled into switzerland. this movie is getting hard to find. Click here for more information about this movie.
3) behind the sun (2005) - a film about an iranian who converts to christianity and suffers persecution. Click here for more information about this movie.
4) God grew tired of us (2006) - a film about the lost boys of sudan. not yet available on DVD. Click here for more information about this movie.
Thanks for initiating this topic, Tom. We are always on the look-out for good media resources and I look forward to seeing the responses!
Here is another one to add to your list:
“Lost Boys of Sudan” (2004) - an award-winning documentary film chronicling the journey of two Sudanese refugees from Africa to America. Go to http://www.lostboysfilm.com for more information about this movie.
thanks, heidi!
Response to refugee movies:
I enjoyed discovering others through the list you already created.
I recently watched “The tune of nostalgia” about an Iranian man looking for a better life and ending up in the Austrian refguee system. More info at
http://www.farsinet.com/hovsepian/tune_of_nostalgia/
or
http://www.josephfilms.com/tune-of-nostalgia-dvd.htm
What makes this one particularly unigue is that it was made by Iranian refugees (fleeing after the martyrdom of the Christian father in Iran) WHILE they were refugees, using mostly refugees as actors, filmed on location in the Vienna area. Having been involved with a refugee ministry reaching out there, and personally exposed to the challanges portrayed in the film, I found it particularly meaningful.
One more film that is actually a documentary that may be of interest is titled “Dying to Leave.” It centers on the issues of Human trafficking and Smuggling, but is relevant for those interested in refugees. A very well done and startling documentary.
More info at
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/shows/dying/index.html
or
http://www.unaff.org/2004/f_dying.html
Are there any movies that specifically address students/ young refugee kids adjusting to life in the USA?
The recent newsletter from Judi Bastin with RMS (RHP Pacific Coordinator) suggests the following books and movies:
MOVIES:
“Sometimes in April” – Based on true events, this gripping and inspiring drama tells the story of two brothers divided along political lines by the conflict in Rwanda.
“The boy who sat under the Buddha’s of Bamiyan” - a movie set in Afghanistan.
BOOKS:
“Heart of Darfur,” by Lisa French Blaker - an account of a New Zealand nurse’s experiences in the Darfur region of Sudan.
“The Kiterunner,” by Khaled Hosseini- a moving story set in Afghanistan.
“Ciao Asmara,” by Justin Hill. Tells the story of Eritrea’s recent political history.
BOOKS WITH REVIEWS:
“Among Muslims,” by Kathleen Jamie
If you’re interested in reading a more personal account of travels in Afghanistan/Pakistan, from a female perspective, then Kathleen Jamie’s “ Among Muslims” may appeal. A slightly different version of this book appeared in 1992,but after 9/11 she decided to revisit some of the places and people from her first travels. Personally I love the way Kathleen Jamie writes; being a poet she brings such fresh images and clarity to her descriptions and encounters. I would definitely recommend it as a fascinating read. (Review by Melissa Moore)
“A Thousand Splendid Suns,” Khaled Hosseini (author of “The Kite Runner”
Khaled Hosseini has excelled himself yet again with his outstanding second book A Thousand splendid Suns released in 2007. Based upon the life story of a woman born and brought up in Afghanistan, the book spans several decades of political upheaval, multi layered cultural traditions and gender influences on the life of its main character Mariam. Each chapter is beautifully written to capture Mariam’s journey and will offer the reader an in-depth insight into the shaping of Afghanistan, as we know it today. But also the reader will gather further insight around what shapes the life of a person seeking refugee status. Although the main character did not take this opportunity, the day-to-day challenges she faced would certainly have given her the opening to seek such status. This may be particularly interesting to those of you who have undertaken work with refugees or are planning to, and therefore will offer an understanding to the multi traumas that are a part of these people’s lives. A Thousand Splendid Suns is not a light read; it will challenge the reader with delights, tragedies and a roller coaster of experiences that highlight the incredible resilience of the main character Mariam. It is though, a thoroughly recommended read, incredibly insightful, thought provoking and entertaining which is likely to stay with the reader for some time. Enjoy! (Review by Nadine French)
I HIGHLY recommend “HUMAN CARGO”, 2003 mini-series (2 DVD set; 4+ hours)) produced (I believe) by the Canadian Broadcasting Company. It is an EXCELLENT production that looks at the refugee situation in Canada from a number of different sides (government, refugees in their homeland, refugees in Canada, different reasons they flee, etc.). VERY WELL acted and directed. (Only one shower scene that you don’t want to show to youth groups).