Flight of the Refugees
Flight of The Refugees documents the harrowing journey of the Syrian refugees as they cross the Macedonian border from Greece, to Serbia and Croatia, all in hope of reaching Germany. In the summer of 2015, over seven thousand refugees started this journey daily, seeking asylum in Western Europe. We bear witness to six of those days.
Flight of the Refugees available on VIMEO ON DEMAND
The Balkans
Our team consisted of Sam, his friend Amar Al Masri, Caleb Jehl, Kyle Jamies and me. Admittedly, we had a somewhat vague mission: to be of service. Kyle had come along to document the journey, in hopes that we would be able to share footage of what was going on with the world. On our first night in Sid, Serbia, more than 2,000 refugees walked through the cornfield. International volunteers had set up a stand of food and water. When the refugees discovered that I spoke Arabic with a Syrian accent they felt a connection to me and shared the stories of their journey, the loss of loved ones, and their hope against all odds for a better future.
I spent 13 days traveling between Greece and Germany. I did what I could to help the refugees along the way. I listened to their stories, cried with them, gave them whatever information I had about border openings, bus and train routes and where to avoid minefields. I even traveled to Germany to see a few of the families that I had met on the road who'd succeeded in relocating.
I spent 13 days traveling between Greece and Germany. I did what I could to help the refugees along the way. I listened to their stories, cried with them, gave them whatever information I had about border openings, bus and train routes and where to avoid minefields. I even traveled to Germany to see a few of the families that I had met on the road who'd succeeded in relocating.
When I arrived back in Los Angeles, I spent the next six weeks working with the footage we shot to make what would become the documentary “Flight of the Refugees.” We cut, colored, and worked with a composer and sound mixer. I was compelled to complete this film in order to share the incredible stories of these refugees with audiences around the globe.