DREAM OF AMERICA
(Working Title)
Examining the consequence of the Iraq war through the lives of its refugees in America.
This is not your typical refugee story. This is about Iraqis who risked everything to support the U.S. mission in Iraq, only to find themselves under attack from militias there and now they face homelessness and family separation in America. Their inner and outer transformation as they seek a place to call home in the DC area sheds a new light on the human consequences of the Iraq war here in America... now home to more than 50,000 Iraqi refugees.
It was the only US film selected along with 23 projects at 2010 DocsBarcelona Pitching Forum.
The film is partially funded by ITVS for a national broadcast on PBS.
It was selected for the 2010 BAVC’s internationally recognized public media lab in San Francisco to expand the impact of the film using multi-platform and web 3.0 models for storytelling and distribution.
The film story and lead character made the front and full inside pages of the Washington Post.
Many Americans don’t know about the plight of Iraqi refugees in the U.S. Those who do, eagerly want to help as advocates, donors, and volunteers. Be part of this movement to make a difference and contribute tax-deductible donations towards the film and/or game through our fiscal sponsor: Docs In Progress.
It was mentored at the 2009 CPB/PBS Producers Academy at WGBH.
DREAM OF AMERICA
updates:
The film was selected at the Bay Area Video Coalition’s Producers Institute to develop its interactive project, Hala Hello. Hala is the Iraqi word for hello. Our alternate reality game engages Americans in the Iraqi refugee community on the web, mobile phone and in reality. The empathy game raises awareness and fights negative stereotyping while making a difference.
The hour-long verite film is executive produced by Laura Poitras, who made the Oscar-nominated Iraqi documentary My Country, My Country.
