REFUGEES ARE HUMAN (LESVOS, GREECE)

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Directed, filmed, and edited by David Clancy

Yousif Al Shewaili // Narrator and Protagonist in the Film // Refugee Photojournalist from Iraq

Team Humanity, Lesvos
Thank you Team Humanity for giving me access to your site to interview refugees

Sign Petition to push radical change
#EuropeMustAct #LeaveNooneBehind

A few months ago I was refused entry from a tiny island nation in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Long story short, I didn’t have the right visa to enter the country and was placed on the next flight back to Europe. Please bear in mind, I’m not writing this to seek attention or empathy. I just want to share how this situation inspired me to launch myself into one of the most fulfilling projects I’ve ever done.

After arriving back in Europe with no plan or idea what I would do for the foreseeable future. I began reflecting on how lucky I was in the grand scheme of things. I had escaped from this heavy situation without any serious harm (no financial loss or criminal records) It wasn’t hard to realize this was largely because of where I was from and the color of my skin. However this is NOT the case for millions of refugees around the world whose fundamental human rights are threatened as targets of deportation.

After a coffee in Vienna with an old friend who spent much of his life working in UN camps around the world, I felt inspired to spontaneously book a one way ticket to Lesvos for the following morning.

My experience with immigration ultimately inspired me to try and document the ongoing refugee crisis on the island of Lesvos where tens of thousands of refugees are being denied their fundamental human rights. Under the new European migration policy, the forcible return of asylum seekers and unlawful migrants has increased to an unprecedented level. I spent three weeks on the island listening to the stories of people who had escaped war and persecution only to find themselves isolated and without means. These people had traveled thousands upon thousands of kilometers to a new world but not the one they were hoping for.

The film I made was completely improvised with zero budget. Upon arrival in Lesvos, I met a photojournalist refugee from Iraq named Yousif Al Shewaili. We immediately got along and he agreed to be the protagonist/narrator for the film.

I spent nearly three weeks filming interviews with refugees from many different countries such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Iran, and the DRC. I conducted many of these interviews inside makeshift tents where the refugees were living temporarily. These people poured out their vulnerability in front of my camera and it was tough to watch yet alone film.

The main objective of this film is to make the crisis more transparent for people who have no idea how to visualize what is happening and how they can help. I don't necessarily want to offer a solution but rather offer a raw and human approach so people can relate more easily. Spreading awareness is the first step to solving the problem.

So I need ALL OF YOUR HELP in sharing this film as much as you can. Please share this link with people in your network. I hope this is a fresh reminder to all of us to be grateful for the privileges we have.

For film festival enquiries, licensing and opportunities contact me here:

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Europe can't continue to take in endless streams of people lacking in language skills, cultural understanding, education and work skills. It's just not feasible. The world is full of suffering people, not all those can come and live in Europe. Already we have too many parallel societies and cultural difficulties. Of course these people will appeal to our heart strings saying things like "I'm human just like you"- clearly they are. That doesn't change reality though. I have the right to protect and develop my own country and especially I don't want more islamic influence which I consider destructive and dividing.

catsandcrows
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yes. we all are human. but different. the problem is that Islam doesn't integrate. immigrants live in parallel societies.

arisplugis
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Your best work yet, dude. Really solid. I look forward to seeing more like this! As filmmakers, we should always look to give a voice to the things that truly matter 🤙🏻

JoshEdwardsFilms
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I Just saw it🙋🏻‍♀️
and I must say well done seriously 👏🏻👏🏻what an amazing, sad short film that shortly describes everything these people are going through, I hope that all of us can help them improve their situation . This short film gives people in Europe a closer vision to who the refugees( I call them survivors) actually are !! huge respect to everyone who joined and helped with this movie 👏🏻👏🏻

sidrahjm
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Ok nice video... Have you ever thought about that helping the countries of these immigrants should be better? What about staying in Turkey that is also a safe county...
P.S. the fire started itself?

LuigiGreek
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EVERY COUNTRY HAVE PROBLEMS ...DONT BRING YOUR PROBLEMS TO OUR ISLAND OF LESVOS...I SEE IT THIS YOUR HOME ;;; WERE YOU COME FROM

costakikis
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Your story telling skills are impressive, I appriciate the work you put into this! Keep going man, you got this. I am interested in helping, Is there a way to go to Lesvos and visit the refugee camp myself? Hope you see this! Much love

rinaldsudris
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Great, keep going with this positivity and joy. World needs people like you!

ranierisalvini
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Amazing movie! Thank you for taking your time, money and energy to send a message in beautiful pictures

ASFOOR
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I'm left with goosebumps and tears. This film is so well made my brother. Thanks for doing this 🙏🏽💯 this is what we tell stories for

jiggyboyfilms
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Fantastic work, really good job at telling the story and involving the viewer emotionally, also loved that you ended the video with positive stories. Keep it up.

clemensweiss
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Congratulations for this film and for your beautiful initiative !!!

emma-wdwy
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Great work guys! Thanks for this video and for spreading awareness!

WbnLongboarding
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Human Rights, where you at?
''Strong'' video with even stronger people!

FULLCOLORgr
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Well done! Keep it up and spread love 🙏✨

hugoman
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We all empathise with the immigrants...why can't leaders talk to the leaders of these people's countries so as to help all the immigrants...we understand they need a better life but it's hard to understand why the president's in those countries the immigrants have come from are doing nothing! Very sad to these sufferings.

simbimuniafu
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6.3 views and 36 comments in one year.
Ftw...forever

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