New documentary 'In Exile' spotlights global voices of Pittsburgh’s Scholars-at-Risk community

New Documentary 'In Exile' Highlights Voices of Pittsburgh’s Scholars-at-Risk

“Art was our way of staying alive.” Syrian filmmaker Reem Alghazzi summarizes the role of creativity in a new documentary premiering in Downtown Pittsburgh that amplifies the stories of artists who have faced displacement and dictatorship yet continue to create.

In Exile, debuting Friday at the Harris Theater, follows the journeys of artists who escaped authoritarian regimes and found refuge and renewal through their art. The screening starts at 7 p.m., with tickets priced at $10 through the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.

Creators and Story Focus

The film is directed by Reem Alghazzi, a Syrian filmmaker, alongside Carnegie Mellon University faculty member Ralph Vituccio. It portrays the experiences of eight members connected with the Pittsburgh Network for Threatened Scholars, City of Asylum, Artists & Scholars at Risk, and Artist Protection Fund. These include artists, writers, musicians, and activists who have lived through exile.

Origin and Thematic Question

According to Vituccio, the project’s origin is deeply tied to Alghazzi’s personal story and the defining issue of exile. He recalls their conversation:

“We sat and talked about her experiences — which are pretty dramatic and horrible. The question kind of arose: at what time in your life did you realize you either had to get out of your country or you were gonna be thrown in prison or possibly murdered?”

This question became the central theme linking the stories in the film.

Screening Information

Summary: The documentary In Exile powerfully presents displaced artists’ resilience and creativity, offering a moving reflection on survival and expression amid tyranny and exile.

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90.5 WESA 90.5 WESA — 2025-11-07

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