VIA PRESS RELEASE | “Ariana Delawari’s We Came Home—A beautiful journey of the heart.” —David Lynch
Afghan American artist and activist Ariana Delawari has announced the digital release of her critically acclaimed documentary We Came Home distributed by TIME via iTunes today. Directed by Delawari, Produced by Yasmine Delawari Johnson and Emily Lynch, and Executive produced by Alexandra Johnes (Amazing Grace, Holy Hell, Frame by Frame, The Square), We Came Home tells a unique perspective of the history of Afghanistan, the connections of family, and the power of music. The film is featured in iTunes “Recent Discoveries” section and can be purchased here and will soon be available for rental.
The film will be screened in Washington D.C. at Eaton Workshop along with a panel discussion and musical performance by Delawari of songs from her album Lion of Panjshir (released by David Lynch). In conjunction with the digital release, Delawari and Fereshteh Forough, Afghan Founder and President of Code to Inspire have collaborated to create a new free app called Afghanistan Connect, a platform consolidating information on reputable organizations that are rebuilding Afghanistan within various aspects of society.
We Came Home is an inspiring documentary about issues at the forefront of global news explored through a very personal lens. Islamophobia and forced migration from war zones is creating a trend in populism that is directly influencing major world policy. It is more important than ever to inspire citizens to learn from history, to recognize the power of innovation through art and education, and to explore the notion of home. We Came Home sparks conversations around purpose, borders, hope and the impact of war on all global citizens’ lives.
Born and raised in Los Angeles to a loving family that had never forgotten its Afghan roots, Ariana Delawari’s life is turned upside down after 9/11. When her parents move back to Kabul to help with reconstruction, Delawari spends a decade documenting their transition and her own awakening, through music, to her Afghan heritage. Delawari beautifully weaves together decades of her family story while recording her album, Lion of Panjshir, with master musicians in post 9/11 Afghanistan. She welcomes the audience to “meet” many average Afghans—a far cry from the stereotypes most often seen in the media. The person who stands out above all and proffers hope against all odds is her father, Noor Delawari, the former Governor of Afghanistan’s Central Bank. He inspires with his profound belief in his country.
The idea for Afghanistan Connect came about when Delawari was screening We Came Home for audiences. She kept hearing from people: “How can I help Afghanistan?” As she thought about this question, it didn’t feel right to point people in the direction of just one organization or aspect of society. She wanted a broader solution, so she approached her friend Fereshteh Forough, Founder and President of Code to Inspire, and they developed the idea for Afghanistan Connect together with Forough’s incredible team. It is notable that all of the graphic designing and coding of this app was performed by the female students at Code to Inspire in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan Connect currently features 12 grassroots organizations: Sahar Education, SOLA (School of Leadership Afghanistan), PARSA (Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Services of Afghanistan), Code to Inspire, Women for Afghan Women, WISE Afghanistan, Free Women Writers, Afghan Women Leaders Connect, Afghan National Institute of Music, Sisters 4 Sisters Afghanistan, Afghan MMCC (Mobile Mini-Circus for Children), and ArtLords. Afghanistan Connect hopes to inspire people around the world to learn about, support, and create new and exciting partnerships with these groups already doing great work on the ground. A new generation of Afghans is working towards a healthy, prosperous and united country that will thrive with consistent growth.
