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Watch Wajd – Songs of Separation Trailer
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Wajd – Songs of Separation

Film available November 25th to December 12th | Live Q&A December 12th at 11am PT

In the wake of unimaginable loss, three Syrian refugees turn to their love of Sufi music.

Trailer | Cause | Viewing Instructions | Buy Tickets

The Film: Wajd – Songs of Separation

Inspired by the traditional sacred music of Syria, filmmaker Amar Chebib travelled to Damascus and Aleppo in 2010. Six months later, the revolution began, escalating into a bloody civil war and the largest humanitarian crisis of our time. Touched by the harrowing experiences of the friends he made, Wajd transformed into the stories of three musicians turned refugees.

Over five years, we witness the struggles of Ibrahim, Abdulwahed, and Mohamed as they face their traumatic past. Forced to rebuild their lives in exile, they turn to their love of music to help them find meaning in the aftermath of destruction and atrocity. Intimate footage of their daily lives weaves together with bittersweet musical performances, extremely rare Sufi ceremonies, and poetic imagery of a pre-war Syria that no longer exists. What unfolds is a cinematic meditation on loss, yearning, and faith.

The following panelists will be participating in the live Q&A on December 12th at 11am PT:

  • Filmmaker Amar Chebib
  • Ibrahim, featured in the film
  • Masa Kateb, Manager of Projects at community cause Jumpstart Refugee Talent
  • Moderator: Zdravko Cimbaljević

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The Cause: Jumpstart Refugee Talent

Jumpstart Refugee Talent is a refugee led non-profit organization and the only national organization exclusively serving refugees and refugee claimants seeking meaningful employment. Founded in 2016, they focus on the economic empowerment of newly settled refugees in Canada by facilitating meaningful employment and entrepreneurial opportunities.

Jumpstart Refugee Talent serves refugees who are skilled and talented in their professions yet face multiple systemic barriers to finding meaningful employment in their fields. They believe Canadian society and our economy can benefit greatly by leveraging refugees’ skills to best use, which will lead to refugees’ financial stability as well as valuable contribution to Canadian economy.

Jumpstart also believes businesses can harness the ingenuity, perseverance, and cross-cultural thinking that refugees can offer, helping them to better innovate and compete in global, as well as local, markets. Jumpstart Refugee Talent is by refugees for refugees; it’s made up of a network of board members, staff members and dedicated volunteers and student interns united by one common goal: to ensure the success and prosperity of refugees by enabling them to Jumpstart their careers and rebuild their lives in Canada.

Calls to action:

  • If you are a Canadian professional looking to support refugees, Jumpstart their careers in Canada through mentorship or volunteering.
  • Click here to learn more if you are a refugee who needs employment support to seek meaningful employment in Canada.
  • If you are an employer looking to hire refugee talent, click here.
  • Learn more about the only national refugee mentorship program in Canada: Welcome Talent Canada program here.

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Viewing Instructions

  1. Purchase a ticket here or by clicking on the Get Tickets section.
  2. Check the Additional Info section of your confirmation email from Universe. It contains your receipt, along with details on how to access the film and register for the Q&A.
  3. Wajd – Songs of Separation will be available from November 25th at 9am PT to December 12th at 11:59pm PT.
  4. Live Q&A on December 12th at 11am PT.

Reel Causes offers sliding scale pricing. Contact info@reelcauses.org for a discounted ticket.

Get Tickets

City of Vancouver
BC Arts Council
Canada Council for the Arts
SFU's Vancity Office of Community Engagement
Consumer Protection BC