Movie Review: Apo W. Bazidi’s How Far is Home by Peter Nichols

How Far is Home: In 2018 a record of 70.8 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide; only 92,000 were offered a settlement. In 2020, the United States will accept only 18,000 refugees, the lowest number since 1980. A growing number of countries around the world now mirror the Trump Administration; anti-immigrant policies.

Synopsis
In the midst of Trump’s immigration ban, a teenage refugee Ahmed and his sister Ruba find a home at a Cleveland school for immigrants. While they struggle to pursue their dreams, current immigration policies weigh heavy on their minds.

How Far is Home is a 21 munites short documentary film focused on a group of young refugees in a school in Ohio. This small group of children is a remnant of refugees accepted by the United States into an immigrant status to give them a chance at a good life. This short film is a tribute to the efforts these young adults are making in their new country of origin, to take the opportunity they have been given and turn it into a good life. Torn from their countries by war, disease, separation, and death from their parents, they suddenly face a far more debilitating problem in the new country of origin the United States. The driving force in the documentary film is the Trump Administration’s policy to remove immigrants.

Set in a Theodore Roosevelt school in Ohio, this kind and heartfelt social documentary reveal the environment of love, care and trust these young adults learn to live and thrive in their new country. Although they all live apart and hold a job, they still bear the scars of the harsh past they have been through. Many have lost family, friends, neighbors and these memories haunt them daily. Their teachers foster a comfortable environment for them to feel safe, open, and happy.

Empathy, kindness, and care towards refugees are scorned by governments. It is a human right.

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Writer & Directed: Apo W. Bazidi

Cast
Ahmed Mohammed as self
Ruba Mohammed as self
Mourad Abdelshaid as self
Asrar Abusai as self

Produced: Coskun Abik, Apo W. Bazidi, Sal Bazidi, Cy Dodson, Mark Gleason, Akam Rezaee, Goran Zaneti
Cinematography: Apo W. Bazidi, Angélique Quantin
Film Editing: Apo W. Bazidi, Angelo Ciaffi
Sound Design: Scott A. Jennings, Andrew Santin
VFX: Akam Rezaee
Editorial: Jason Rosenfield

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