A Thousand And One Journeys: The Arab Americans Premiered in New York to a Complete Sell Out The First Arab American Documentary by Syrian Born, American Director and Producer Abe Kasbo
New York, New York. December 8, 2015. The first historical full-length documentary about Arab Americans produced in United States made its New York City premier Sunday, December 6 at 3PM at the SVA Theater to a complete sell out.
In the face of political rhetoric and noise, the film’s debut delivered a powerful punch of American History leaving its audience thirsty for more.
Audience reaction from the Sunday premier as follow:
“Your work is so important to not forget the melodic sounds in all this cacophony of loud shrieks. So, thank you for doing your part in taking charge of the narrative. I hope lots of people will hear you!!!”
“Incredibly powerful reminder of American History and the contributions of all Americans.”
“Abe Kasbo’s new film “A Thousand and One Journeys: The Arab Americans” clearly and beautifully exemplifies what so many people, of any nationality, experienced immigrating to the U.S. His documentary is about what being American is all about.
“The timeliness of this film’s completion, with current world events, only speaks louder of what we all need to keep in mind about who we are as Americans and citizens of humanity.”
In his inaugural debut as producer and director, Abe Kasbo’s timely new film vividly paints a portrait of the Arab-American immigrant experience through the stories of people who came to the United States hoping to find the American Dream, including Senator George Mitchell, Actor Jamie Farr, Presidential Candidate and consumer advocate Ralph Nader, General John Abizaid, Pulitzer Prize Winner Anthony Shadid, Former White House Reporter Helen Thomas, NASCAR Legend Bobby Rahal, Actor and Founder of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Danny Thomas, Congressman Nick Rahall, and others.
A Thousand And One Journeys: The Arab Americans places the Arab American immigrant experience within the context of American History and experience. It is the untold story of nearly 150 years of enrichment of the American fabric by immigrants from the Middle East, North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula to the United States.
Filmed in eleven states and over seven-years, this ground-breaking documentary is a uniquely American story that provides viewers with a first-ever glimpse of the Arab Americans experience told through the eyes of famous and everyday people. As director Abe Kasbo put it, “The Arab American experience is truly an American story. Just like Polish and Italian Americans, the immigration of Arabic Speaking People to the United States and their evolution into integral, productive citizens is a purely American phenomenon. As Americans we can only complete our story when we recognize everyone else’s story.” The documentary explores early and multiple waves of immigration along with the tremendous impact of 9/11 on the Arab American community and its challenges and dreams in light of the zeitgeist.
Kasbo grew up in Aleppo Syria, where he played Cowboys and Indians with his friends on the city’s bustling streets. He was fascinated by American and American values as a child as he watched watched The Virginian and Little House on the Prairie subtitled in Arabic, and read Superman and Batman in his native tongue. He immigrated to the US in 1980 and settled in Paterson, NJ.
He credits Richie Cunningham (Ron Howard) and The Fonz (Henry Winkler) on the hit series Happy Days along with Melissa Gilbert and the cast of Little House for helping him learn English in his first year in America. Foundation support for the film: John Templeton Foundation, The Victor Machuga Foundation. To pre-order a DVD visit www.arabamericandoc.com. Follow on Facebook and twitter.