(New York, NY – February, 7, 2020) – I AM YOU, an independent feature film based on the true story of Afghan refugees, held its New York City premiere hosted by Federico Pignatelli and model and UNICEF Ambassador Halima Aden on Thursday, February 6, 2020, at leading photography and multimedia studio complex, PIER59 STUDIOS.
Directed and produced by award-winning filmmaker and human rights activist, Sonia Nassery Cole, the film follows the story of Massoud, a young man who embarks on a perilous migration from Afghanistan through the Middle East and Europe, accompanied by a pregnant doctor and a wise elder.
“I am so touched that we are completely sold out tonight, and so many noble and influential guests braced the New York City rain to attend and see this important film to better understand the current refugee crisis,” said Sonia Nassery Cole, Director, I AM YOU. “Refugees do not have a choice and must flee their homelands to keep themselves and their loved ones safe. Whether due to climate change, war, or political strife, anyone at any time could become a refugee and so the title ‘I AM YOU’ resonates on a global scale. This could be you. It brought me to tears to see my audience of 300+ in tears as they gave the film a standing ovation. That showed me that films like this are necessary as they hit the core of humanity.”
Following the screening, a Q&A was held with the director and cast, and moderated by Afghanistan’s most famous musical artist and activist Aryana Sayeed. Important topics were discussed, such as how the film came about. Sonia Nassery Cole shared that the film came to her through repeated messages from a boy in Germany who was desperate to tell his story.
Then, a limited print of the most famous piece of photojournalism ever created – “Afghan Girl” kindly donated and shot by legendary photographer Steve McCurry, was displayed to the audience and auctioned by Sotheby’s VP Michael Macaulay. All proceeds to benefit Afghanistan World Foundation and UNICEF USA in support of refugees in need.
As guests then moved into the after party, they were treated to three special performances. First by Tabla player and DJ Mariam Bahawdory who set the tone, followed by performances by Farah Saraj – the vocalist of the original soundtrack on I AM YOU. The grand finale was by internationally known Afghan superstar Aryana Sayeed, whose music brought everyone to the dance floor.
Guests in attendance included:
From the film: Cast – Ali Pinar (Arsalan), Cansu Tosun (Nazoo), Damla Sönmez (Aisha), Emre Cetinkaya (Masoud), Hakan Aydin (Kamal); director and producer Sonia Nassery Cole, producers Chris Cole, Lance Stuart; executive producers Halima Aden and Federico Pignatelli.
Others in attendance: Cynthia Rowley, Carol Alt, Marla Maples, Nicole Miller, Frederique Van Der Wal, Eric & Sandra Ripert, Caroline Day (The Goldfinch), Krystal Joy Brown (Hamilton), Jonathan Cheban, Keandra, Hunter McGrady, Gregg Bello, Leon Robinson, Alex Lundqvist, Jaime Cepero, Kaliegh Garris, Kea Ho, Coco Mitchell, Dale Moss, Dan O’Brien, Jamee & Peter Gregory, Zozibini Tunzi, Donna D’Cruz, George Wayne, Ben Watts, and Timo Weiland.
ABOUT SONIA NASSERY COLE, DIRECTOR
Sonia returned to the director’s chair to shoot “I AM YOU” after her previous feature film & official submission for the Academy Awards “The Black Tulip”, garnered numerous international accolades as well as dramatic headlines in The New York Times. Militants located her leading actress and severed her feet for being involved in an anti-Taliban narrative. But Ms. Cole, an Afghan refugee herself, returned to her homeland despite the life-threatening risks involved in filming in her war-torn country, in the pursuit of sharing the human experience through the art of film. Sonia is also an author, humanitarian and activist who founded Afghanistan World Foundation in 2002 after speaking in front of Congress with the support of President Ronald Reagan. She is the recipient of a “Congressional Recognition” award, “Afghan American Sisterhood Award,” and the “UN Women Together Award”. She also received the “Freedom to Write” Award from PEN Center USA.
ABOUT HALIMA ADEN, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Halima Aden is the 22-year-old Somali-American who has taken the fashion world by storm. After being the first contestant to compete in the Miss Minnesota USA pageant wearing a hijab and burkini for the swimsuit competition, she was signed by IMG Models for worldwide representation She has walked the runway for brands such as Alberta Ferretti, Dolce & Gabbana, Max Mara and Yeezy. In her short modeling career, Halima has graced the cover of over a dozen major fashion magazines. She made headlines last year by wearing a burkini on the pages of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, a first for the publication. She was named an official UNICEF Ambassador following her TED Talk at Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya, Africa. This is the refugee camp where Halima was born and lived for the first seven years of her life and also where she was once on the receiving end of the services UNICEF provides children in need around the world.
ABOUT PIER59 STUDIOS
Founded in 1995 by Federico Pignatelli and his Art and Fashion Group Corporation, Pier59 Studios is an 110,000 square-foot premier photography and multimedia studio located at Chelsea Piers in New York City. As the largest photography facility and multimedia single Studio complex in the World, with over 2500 advertising campaigns produced yearly, the space is equipped with state of the art technology, including AR and VR, to accommodate any needs of video-photographers, designers, advertising agencies and television and film production companies. Pier59 Studios features 11 column-free studio spaces, including a 6,500 square-foot sound stage constructed for live performances, special events, video and commercial projects. Nine studios are naturally lit and contain retractable walls to allow for unparalleled space modularity in Manhattan. For more information on Pier59 Studios, please visit https://www.pier59studios.com/.
