GatewAY TO A NEW LIFE
Immigrants from Afghanistan who worked for the U.S. military during wartime find a warm welcome in an unlikely place:
St. Louis, Missouri.
"Gateway to a New Life" follows newly-arrived immigrants from Afghanistan as they settle into a new life in a city that stands ready to welcome them.
Civic leaders and organizations in St. Louis have joined forces to meet the needs of newly-arrived Afghan immigrants in a comprehensive program supported with private funds.
These Afghans and their families risked their lives during the war by working for the U.S. government. Once the Taliban took power in Afghanistan, their lives were in danger. Those who escaped have Special Immigrant Visas (SIV), which provide a path to citizenship.
Many families who fled are building new lives in St. Louis, a city that sees immigrants as a solution to a declining population.
These immigrants are defined by their grit, bravery and determination--and their desire to be American citizens.
Production
Filming began in St. Louis shortly after the fall of Afghanistan in August 2021. The Taliban quickly closed the border and many people who helped the U.S. military were not able to escape. Afghans who are in the United States or in refugee camps in other countries are learning that St. Louis recognizes their sacrifices and welcomes their families.
BIOS
Kathy Bratkowski
Kathy Bratkowski (Director) is a writer, producer, and director in St. Louis, Missouri. She has directed four documentary films and scores of short documentary features, many of which have been recognized by regional Emmy® awards, MCA Golden Reels, and Telly awards. Her documentaries have screened in film festivals (the New York Television Festival, the St. Louis International Film Festival, and the Archaeology Channel film festival) and are streaming on Amazon Prime.
She has an M.F.A in Fiction from the Warren Wilson Program for Writers, and an M.A. in Media Communications from Webster University, where she taught courses in writing, media ethics and production. She has taught broadcast and multimedia production at Lindenwood University and St. Louis Community College. She has been in residence at Vermont College of Fine Arts, The Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow, and Craigardan Arts Center.
She hosts interviews with authors as part of a series sponsored by HEC Media, the St. Louis County Library, and
St. Louis-area independent bookstores.
Greg Kopp
Greg Kopp (Editor and Colorist) has extensive experience as a post-production storyteller and colorist. He has worked on award-winning documentaries and features in broadcast, film, public media, and sports. He is an expert editor on multiple systems, including Da Vinci, Avid, and Final Cut Pro.
Peter Foggy
Peter Foggy is a St. Louis based award-winning Director of Photography and Editor with over 20 years of experience shooting documentaries, commercials, sports, and television shows. He says that, "When I'm not looking through a viewfinder, I continue to see life as compositions and light."
Leena Alam
Leena Alam (Narrator) is an Afghan film, television and theater actress. She has appeared in films such as Kabuli Kid, Black Kite, Loori, A Letter to the President and Hassan. She is widely known to have worked on film and TV programs that speak to gender inequality, women’s rights and social conflicts.In 1991, Alam and her family moved to the United States because of the civil war in Afghanistan She began her acting and cinema career in 1998. In 2021, she was named as one of the BBC's 100 Women.
HEC Media
A non-profit corporation, HEC-TV is the only station with the mission statement to strengthen and promote the education, arts, and cultural communities in the St. Louis Metropolitan area. HEC-TV is St. Louis’ leading producer of education and arts television programming, using technology to connect and synergize in innovative, highly successful ways. HEC-TV provides an unparalleled level of service, changing the face of television by engaging viewers, empowering teachers, and encouraging students to achieve unparalleled success.
