Far from Home

ABOUT THE FILM

Samira Faizi and her family escaped to India from Afghanistan in 2021, right before the Taliban takeover. She hoped for a better life for her children by eventually leaving India and settling in a new country. But she is now grappling with the possibility of being stuck forever, as slow asylum processes and the lack of a refugee law in India threaten her existence. She is also stuck in India at a time when violence against Muslims is steadily increasing in the country, led by a right-wing nationalistic government. This film touches upon Samira’s struggle and sheds light on the situation of refugees in India.

The film has a diverse cast and crew. The director’s family also came to India as refugees, and the cinematographer belongs to the Muslim community of India. The project features Afghans who live in the Bhogal market Afghan settlement in Delhi.

Film School: Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism

 

Director Statement

‘Far from Home’ is a collective effort of many people, but most importantly, the Afghan refugees of India. This film gives them a voice and sheds light on the fact that India has no refugee law and no framework in place to protect those on the margins of society. This film was inspired by my grandparents’ experience as refugees in India. My experience shooting ‘Far from Home’ has also been featured in Outlook, India’s most reputed English-language magazine.

I would like to thank the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting for believing in the film and funding it. I would also like to thank the American Institute of Afghanistan Studies (AIAS) and Brent E. Huffman for giving us additional funding to complete the film. Last but not the least, I would like to thank my team – Rwikjit, Debangshu, Hans, Shachindra, Wazid, Robin, Geeta and Dr. Zafer – for believing in the film and giving your heart and soul to this project. 

About the Director

The Film

Ankita is a 2022 graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. ‘Far from Home’ is her first documentary. Ankita is a seasoned journalist, with almost a decade of experience in the profession. She has worked at Deutsche Welle (DW), Politico and The Economist Group and has published articles in several publications across the world. In 2022, she received a fellowship from the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting to make Far from Home.

Trailer

CAST & CREW

  • Ankita Mukhopadhyay (Director)
  • Brent E. Huffman (Producer)
  • Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting (Producer)
  • Ankita Mukhopadhyay (Writer)
  • Rwikjit Roy (Editor)
  • Hans Samsa (Cinematographer)
  • Debangshu Roy (Sound)

PHOTOS