“The Journey” is a six-part documentary series directed by Matthew Cassel, which follows the treacherous, 1,700-mile migration of a Syrian refugee who fled the perils of wartime Damascus to build a better life for his family. It’s being released by Field of Vision, The New Yorker, and co-creators Laura Poitras, AJ Schnack, and Charlotte Cook.
More than a million people whose lives have been upended by desperation and violence in Syria have made similar journeys, but most of these treks take place in obscurity. Aboud Shalhoub was joined by the filmmaker, Matthew Cassel, who documented-and participated in-the perilous migration in 2015.
Cassel’s colleague, Simon Safieh, stayed in Damascus with Aboud’s wife, Christine, and his two children. The series captures Aboud’s long trip to The Netherlands, the family’s attempts to reunite, and the tide of nationalist sentiment sweeping across northern Europe.
“The Journey” will be released on newyorker.com with a new episode posted daily starting today, May 22, 2016, through May 28, and will remain there for viewing for 90 days. The total runtime of the film is 70 minutes. Watch the first episode now.
