NYFW 2020 Screenings | I Am You
On a rainy Thursday night, February 6th, the United States debut and film screening of the indie passion project I Am You by renowned Afghan film director Sonia Nasserycole took place at Chelsea Piers and was simply breathtaking to say the least. A story needing to be told and a film needing to be seen, I Am You (Don’t Look Away) follows the story of a group of refugees trying to escape war and crisis amidst Afghanistan’s war with ISIS.
Among their many obstacles to freedom is the ever-growing border crisis around the world that is leaving over 1mm refugees, over half of them innocent children, displaced and even dead in their attempt to flee the country they call home. The movie was chilling and resonates with the oppression story of any race and country. “This has become the passion of my life.” A teary-eyed Sonia shares with the intimate gathering of a few hundred influential and high profile guests at Pier59 Studios.
The screening was hosted by the owner of Pier59studios Federico Pignatelli himself, who saw the film in Italy late last year and worked alongside the director to bring awareness to the film here during #NYFW. Among the executive producers is supermodel and activist Halima Aden who was also in attendance last night and is passionate about the story & movie as she herself was a child refugee from Somalia. The full cast flew in from across the Turkey and Afghanistan to share in this amazing moment with the beloved film director & friends.
The night capped off with an auction of a framed & signed portrait of The Afghan Girl signed by journalist Steve McCurry that went for a calm $14,000 to a distinguished guest who purchased the photograph to support the awareness of the crisis in Afghanistan. The chic after party followed with a global list of who’s who in attendance including a whole Miss Universe, Zozibini Tunzi, IMG Models talent Coco and Leah, straight from the Christian Siriano show, and founder and editor Raine Magazine Nova Lorraine.
The goal of all involved is to raise awareness for the film and land mainstream distribution that will help bring about the conversation on policy change and aide to those living in terror in Afghanistan. See the gallery below for more highlights from the night and follow the film @iamyou.film on Instagram.
