Stories I’ve Told the Stars is a short documentary that features the stories of three men who left their homes in Ethiopia in the 1980s to escape political unrest and civil war. The film follows Solomon, Tsgeyne, and Aulua as they share stories of growing up in Ethiopia, and how the changing political and social climate drove them to leave their families, communities, and home land behind in the prospects of establishing a life without fear and uncertainty.
The film is divided into 5 short segments. These segments are used as the framework to illustrate the journey from their life in Ethiopia to their resettlement in the Pacific Northwest and reflections on the Ethiopian diaspora
This film explores themes of resiliency, community, and connection and aims to encourage viewers to think about how to contribute to building a better more inclusive space for us all. Insights of the film include the power of community and friendships, the similarities between refugees and the homeless population, and the way the ancestral homeland can still call to you after years of making a new life.
Although these stories told by these men are uniquely theirs, the film carries and uplifts the voices of all refugees who did not complete their journey. It shines a light to refugees who exist in the shadows who are unable to share their journey, and is a unique representation for the many refugee communities and those affected by the refugee experience in any capacity.