The Sweetest Embrace: Return to Afghanistan
2008
1 h 14 min
Coming soon
This full-length documentary tells the story of 2 Afghans who return to Afghanistan in search of their families after a 16-year exile. Like many Afghan children, Soorgul and Amir were sent to Tajikistan during the Soviet occupation of their country. When the Soviet Union collapsed, the civil wars that broke out on both sides of the border left the children stranded, unable to leave the country until Canada accepted them as refugees. The Sweetest Embrace tells an intimate story set against one of the world's most harsh and yet beautiful landscapes, in a land where life has been shaped by …
Details
This full-length documentary tells the story of 2 Afghans who return to Afghanistan in search of their families after a 16-year exile. Like many Afghan children, Soorgul and Amir were sent to Tajikistan during the Soviet occupation of their country. When the Soviet Union collapsed, the civil wars that broke out on both sides of the border left the children stranded, unable to leave the country until Canada accepted them as refugees.
The Sweetest Embrace tells an intimate story set against one of the world's most harsh and yet beautiful landscapes, in a land where life has been shaped by war and hardship but where spirit remains resilient.
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writerNajeeb Mirza
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directorNajeeb Mirza
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producerBonnie ThompsonAdam SymanskyNajeeb Mirza
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editorJoey Calugay
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consulting editorNick Hector
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cameraJimmy BustosNajeeb Mirza
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soundJimmy BustosNajeeb Mirza
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sound editingLeopoldo Gutierrez
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composerFarangis Nurulla
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additional cameraRafi BehroozianEbenezer GeorgeBill KerriganHaseeb MirzaPatrick MorrowBaryalai Dost Muhammad
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additional soundGary BrucknerRick Hardy
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key gripAllan Belyea
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assistant editorJimmy BustosEnsor Mirza
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additional editingBrenda Terning
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narrationNajeeb Mirza
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production supervisorSteve HalléMark Power
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musicianAbduvali AbdurashidJean-Marc BouchardJulien GrégoireGuy PelletierKiya TabassyanZiya Tabassyan
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translatorQudsia HamidiSoorgul Roy Sakai
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archival researchElizabeth KlinckNailya Okda
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sound edit assistantCarrie Haber
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foleyLise Wedlock
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re-recordingShelley Craig
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driverSaid OmarMohammad EhsanMohammadullahNabiAbdullahAssadullahMohammad Nur Abdul SalomSafar Imronshaev
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cookAzizAbdul Karim
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guardAzizAbdul Karim
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participantAmirdad AlamunbekSoorgul Roy Sakai
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online editorJulie MonetteYannick Carrier
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colouristJulie MonetteYannick Carrier
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graphic designPhilippe Raymond
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titlesGaspard Gaudreau
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production coordinatorGinette D'SilvaSusan LewisFaye Yoneda
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technical coordinatorSteve HalléMark Power
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marketing managerKelly Isaac
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program administratorDarin Clausen
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executive producer in developmentGraydon McCrea
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executive producer in productionDerek Mazur
Education
Ages 13 to 17
Diversity - Identity
Geography - Physical Geography/Geology
History - World History
Social Studies - Canada in the World Today
Outline history of Russian invasion of Afghanistan. Why were the two men desperate to find their families? Have students explore how their family has contributed to their identity; discuss in relation to culture, language, religion, adoption, residential schools in Canada, colonization, etc. Study geography of Afghanistan – why was the trip so long and difficult? Analyze the political/social climate in Afghanistan today; compare to Canadian life. List Canadian/international agencies which help refugees.
