In his pursuit he finds more than just a race - he finds himself a community. This film follows Tolassa’s first year in America, as his ambition to race and compete takes him all the way to the New York City Marathon. 12 years later, he is a newly resettled refugee in Dallas, Texas, seeking to compete in a half marathon. Synopsis: This film follows Tolassa, who was an elite runner in Ethiopia before being thrown into prison for speaking out against human rights abuses against his ethnic group in Ethiopia. The IRC in San Diego will be joined by Erin Palmquist, the film's director, and Ghazwan Alsharif, for a virtual Q&A on April 21 at 6 PM.įollow Ethiopian refugee and IRC client, Tolassa Elemaa, as he pursues his life long dream of competitive running. FROM BAGHDAD TO THE BAY takes a look at the intersectional struggle of being an asylum seeker in the United States and a member of the LGBTQ+ community at a time when both face persecution.

Wrongfully accused of being a double agent, tortured by the military, and ostracized from his family and country, Ghazwan Alsharif struggles to create a life for himself in the the Bay Area of California while navigating his identity as an openly gay man. Synopsis: In this profound documentary, we follow the journey of an Iraqi refugee and former translator for the US military.

“From Baghdad to The Bay, above and beyond its artistry and excellent storytelling, is an important tool for teaching and expanding understanding, particularly within cultures, environments and families that have not come to terms with the extraordinary diversity we humans evidence, particularly with respect to the gender and sexuality continuum beyond binary.” - Sasha Soheili

Mirc movies