project fiftyone is an inspiring and hope-filled story that showcases how every one of us can make a difference by offering kindness and compassion
to others.
In remembrance of the 51 people killed in Christchurch’s mosque attacks, a young Kiwi-Afghan couple, Bariz Shah and Saba Afrasyabi, raise money to travel to Afghanistan to empower some of Kabul’s most poverty stricken people by funding 51 micro-business projects. As little as USD $250 is enough to change lives with the gift of a small but essential item such as a sewing machine or a portable food cart, and we watch as their hopes and dreams are fulfilled.
At the same time, this humanitarian act works to deeply change Bariz and Saba. Their own stories as Muslim refugees living in the Western World weave through this story of making a powerful choice to meet hate with love.
Director: Gaylene Barnes
Producer: Virginia Wright
Creative Team
Bariz Shah and Saba Afrasyabi
Soroptimist International New Plymouth Club are raising funds to send a New Plymouth girl on the Spirit of New Zealand sea voyage for the experience of a lifetime with the screening of this inspirational film.
We will also hear from two previous recipients of this funding who will be speaking on the experience and what it has meant to them.
Run time: 84 minutes
FILMAKERS PROMISE
Co-Directors Bariz Shah and Saba Afrasyabi
My wife Saba and I filmed for project fiftyone in Afghanistan over the summer of 2019/2020. Every time we meet members of our community in gatherings such as Eid festivals or even at the mosque, we are always approached by someone and asked when our documentary is due to release. Prior to embarking on our journey to Afghanistan, we reached out to all of the families who had lost direct family members and shared with them our project. We told them that we were going to Afghanistan to establish 51 micro-businesses in honor of the 51 brothers and sisters we lost in the Christchurch mosque shootings. We also shared our plans of filming the entire process and upon our return to Aotearoa, making a documentary film that brought back the impact we were fortunate enough to create.
The family of the Shuhada (martyred) was very encouraging. They also understood what we were trying to achieve, which was to create 'sadaqa jariah' (voluntarily alms that continue to benefit someone other than yourself) in the name of their loved one(s). As Muslims, we understand the importance of not telling a story that is not ours to tell. We understand that the story of the families and their loved ones is only for them to tell, how they wish to tell it, and when they wish to tell it. Knowing this prior to travel to Afghanistan, we framed the documentary as a story that follows our journey, and how the 15th of March tragedy was a catalyst to the change we wanted to bring about. Project fiftyone, follows the story of our main characters who were selected specifically so our audience in New Zealand could connect with them. Their stories are interwoven with my wife and l's story. Our vision has always been to create a film that aids the families who lost their loved ones in their healing journey. When they witness the change that was brought about due to the loss of their loved one, it would add to their healing. project fiftyone is a film by the community for the community. It takes into account all the religious and cultural sensitivities.
We chose to work with Virginia Wright as she is trusted by our community in telling great stories and telling them like they are. Her documentary film, 'We Are One' is highly respected by our community so, therefore, we were inclined in having her produce project fiftyone. We truly believe that NZ needs to see a film like project fiftyone, a story of tragedy to triumph. We look forward to sharing our journey with NZ and the world in hopes of inspiring people to embrace the negative events in their lives, transform them, and use them as fuel for positive change.
Blessings, Bariz Shah & Saba Afrasyabi
