I AM HERE

In a unique international academic endeavour, representatives from Georgia State University and Clayton State University in Atlanta, Sheridan College in Oakville and Seneca College in Toronto agreed to have their students create a short dramatic production to be shot in the winter of 2019 in both Georgia and Ontario. Student writers Catrina Dygert from Georgia State University and Paul Daniel Torres from Sheridan College developed the following scenario.

In Toronto, HARRY MCFERRIN (15) wraps up a classroom presentation of his family tree, on which everyone is clearly Irish-Canadian except Harry. When his classmate, Lana, awkwardly questions this, Harry explains that he was adopted but, as far as he’s concerned, he’s Canadian and that’s that. Later, Lana confronts Harry; he looks Middle-Eastern, like her - doesn’t he want to know about his background? Harry shares what he knows: after his family was killed in the war in Syria, he and other orphans were evacuated to Turkey. He remembers the shelling and traumatic fragments of the trip through the desert, but just talking about it aggravates Harry’s anxiety. Childhood nightmares return and he can’t stop hearing the noises of war.

In Clarkston, Georgia, 21-year-old HANNAN AL-HASHIM still struggles with the feelings of loss and insecurity she's experienced since fleeing war-torn Syria eight years ago and growing up as a refugee in America. Smugglers split up the family during the flight to the Turkish border and her younger brother and uncle were left behind and reportedly died. Hannan cannot accept that her brother is dead and gives voice to her feelings by writing poetry. A friend videos one of her open-mic performances and it garners attention on the internet. When Hannan is invited to attend a refugee arts festival in Toronto, she sees it as an opportunity to publicize her story and perhaps learn more about the fate of her brother. However, her parents aren’t about to allow Hannah to travel solo to Toronto and they don’t want to encourage her preoccupation with Hassan. Despite her parents’ prohibition, Hannan flies to Toronto.

Lana invites Harry to the Refugee Arts Festival. Harry demurs; he’s not good with crowds or noise. But then he reconsiders – maybe going to hear people like him will at least help him feel he’s not alone. Inside, Harry hears a young woman on stage describe her story and say: “I am here” in Arabic - the last words Harry heard from his sister when they parted. He pushes through the crowd and desperately searches out Hannan backstage where they experience a miraculous and emotional reunion.

This rough cut's colour and sound correction are in progress and all will be complete before November 2019.