As Refugee Solidarity Month comes to an end, students at Hamilton College will be putting on two final events. On April 28 at 5:00 pm in the Kirner Johnson Auditorium, the film
Exodus: Our Journey to Europe
will be shown. It will be followed up with a question and answer session with award-winning director James Bluemel, the producer Andrew Metz ’91, and Hassan Akkad, a Syrian refugee and filmmaker.
One day later, on Apr. 29, On the Move’s largest event will take place. The musical group Journey West will perform at Munson William Proctor Institute, free of charge to the Hamilton community.
Exodus: Our Journey to Europe,
was filmed partially by professionals, and partially by refugees who were given camera phones to document their crossing into Europe. Akkad, who will be present for the screening, is one of the refugees followed in the documentary. He was an English teacher in Syria, but was forced to leave his home after being jailed twice for peacefully protesting against the government.
Hassan made the dangerous crossing from Turkey to Greece in an overcrowded dinghy. After reaching Greece, he made his way to France and found refuge in the infamous “Calais Jungle.” Using a fake passport, he managed to make it to London where he claimed asylum. Journey West seeks to embed their performance with an aura of multiculturalism, and hope to do so by blending sounds from all over the world.
Their shows typically begin with instruments and melodies from the Middle East, and then they move on to play music from Eastern Europe, Western Europe, and the US.
The group makeup itself reflects its interest in multiculturalism. They are directed by Max Buckholtz, an American, who also plays violin in the group. He has been playing since he was three and began touring at the age of ten. There are three other American-born members of the group, as well as two refugees from the Middle East. Iraqi member Imad Al Taha plays violin and has performed for the President of Dubai. He was also forced to perform for Saddam Hussain under threat of execution. After Saddam was ousted, Al Taha had to flee Iraq when religious extremists declared his music offensive.
Dara Anissi hails from Iran, but his family fled from Ayatollah Khomeini’s regime shortly after his birth. He began playing guitar when he was five and plays both guitar and mandolin for the band. In addition to his work with Journey West, he also performs with a rock band influenced by culture in the Middle-East.
These acclaimed musicians and filmmakers have been invited to share their talents with the local community as the finale to Refugee Solidarity Month. April saw six different events put on by the student organization On The Move at Hamilton College. This student organization has brought several speakers to campus, and held an International Food Festival to raise money for refugees.
To get a ticket to see Journey West, email [email protected]” with your name, and a seat will be reserved for you.
