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Rhythms of Migration

African migrants create a music album about leaving their homes and adopting new lives in Sicily.

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Rhythms of Migration

Rhythms of Migration

Rhythms of Migration

Rhythms of Migration

Rhythms of Migration

African migrants create a music album about leaving their homes and adopting new lives in Sicily.

African migrants create a music album about leaving their homes and adopting new lives in Sicily.

African migrants create a music album about leaving their homes and adopting new lives in Sicily.

African migrants create a music album about leaving their homes and adopting new lives in Sicily.

Stephen McNally and John Wassel
Stephen McNally and John Wassel
Stephen McNally and John Wassel
Stephen McNally and John Wassel
1 Campaign |
Los Angeles, United States
$3,245 USD 32 backers
40% of $8,000 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal
Choose your Perk

Social media shout-out

$15 USD
Est. Shipping
March 2019
0 claimed

Album download

$25 USD
Est. Shipping
March 2019
5 claimed

Digital download of film

$50 USD
Est. Shipping
August 2019
3 claimed

Poster, film, and album

$100 USD
Est. Shipping
August 2019
12 claimed

Exclusive sneak-peek of film

$250 USD
Est. Shipping
August 2019
3 out of 10 of claimed

IndieGogo contributor credit

$500 USD
Est. Shipping
August 2019
0 claimed

Associate Producer credit

$1,000 USD
Est. Shipping
August 2019
0 out of 3 of claimed
Overview
Sixteen-year-old Nigerian migrant Success Osamwy says: "We are all human. We just have a different type of experience." This documentary is a testament to that dignity and humanity. “Rhythms of Migration” follows Success, Godfrey White, Lucky Boy, Felix, and other African migrants living in Sicily who use music to heal from their difficult migration experiences and build community among strangers.

Who this film is about

Success Osamwy left his home in Nigeria when he was 15. After receiving death threats from a violent gang in his school, the Osamwy family felt they had no other choice but to send him away from home. He left Nigeria alone, traveled through the Sahara Desert for a week, was illegally imprisoned in Libya, and survived a treacherous sea crossing in an inflatable boat to arrive in Italy. Now, at 16, he’s working to make a new life in Siracusa, Sicily.

Success is one of many young migrants who contributed to the production of the musical album "One Humanity" in the summer of 2018. Along with singer and pianist Godfrey White who dreams of musical stardom, Lucky Boy who sings of the horrors that  sub-Saharan Africans suffer in Libya, and Felix who was sold as a slave out of Nigeria, the band makes music in Sicily to express the darkness of their pasts and their dreams of a better, freer life. Performing for and living in a new country, music is a common thread that ties them together as they build a new community among Sicilians. 

Since 2014, nearly 2 million migrants have arrived in Europe by sea and land. Human migration is inevitable, as people around the world look to find safer, healthier, happier lives. Countries should work to make those people's lives better once they’ve arrived. For kids like Success, those lives can be found through music.

This short-form documentary explores the power of music to build community, embrace different cultures, and see the dignity of all people. The documentary shows recording sessions, live performances, and the daily lives of these migrants as they adjust to their new lives in Sicily. The documentary also serves as a way to preserve their stories and showcase what could be a model program to help displaced migrants find community in new countries.

The Impact

Funding this film supports Success, Godfrey, Lucky Boy, Felix and all the other boys' stories being heard by more and more people. Across Europe and North America, migrants are overlooked, undervalued, and demonized. Giving migrants a platform to talk about their experiences and artistic identities will help to bridge the cultural divide that's put up by people seeking to rob migrants of their humanity.

How your support helps & what we can offer

The filmmakers John Wassel and Stephen McNally have worked together for almost a decade, making videos for the National Science Foundation, UC Berkeley, and non-profits. They are dedicated to producing documentaries about social justice issues such as migration.

Producing this documentary requires a lot of people to contribute their talents.  By supporting the project, the filmmakers will be able to pay a composer for an original score and hire a sound mixer and a color correction specialist to make this film sound and look like a blockbuster. Your support also means they can submit to film festivals and pursue additional distribution outlets like PBS, as well as scan and develop the 35mm film from our shoot in Sicily. To do all of this, they are asking you to help raise $8,000.

By donating, you'll get access to the art that has been made from this story: the film itself and the musical album that features the stories of these kids. For larger donations, you'll be credited at the end of the film. Beyond the perks, we hope that you feel a connection to the issue of migration and how the arts can help bring people together!

 

Risks & Challenges

Luckily, a lot of the hard work is done. The film has been shot and John and Steve are 100% committed to finishing this film. At every step of this project, John and Steve have dedicated their own resources and time to make this film.  Your support will help with the final push needed to edit and make this film seen by as many people as possible.

Other Ways You Can Help

We completely understand that you may not be able to support us with a donation at this time. If you still care about this film and this issue, please share the campaign or trailer out on social media and with anyone you think may care too.

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