Screening with Oscar-Winning Director Megan Mylan
DIRECTOR AND CAST MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE
We were honored to be a part of a special evening featuring a screening of the award winning HBO documentary SIMPLE AS WATER. The event on April 4, sponsored by Akin law firm and hosted by Violet Crown Dallas, included a Q&A with director Megan Mylan and film subjects moderated by DIFF Artistic Director James Faust.
New York Times Critic’s Pick SIMPLE AS WATER is a love story celebrating the bonds of family by Oscar®-winning director Megan Mylan. Portraits of Syrian families filmed across five countries reveal the impact of war, separation and displacement. The film was shortlisted for an Oscar® and nominated for Emmy, PGA and Peabody Awards. The filmmakers are sharing SIMPLE AS WATER with audiences across the country to support Earthquake Relief in Turkey and Syria and a culture of welcome for refugees. Texas is the first stop on a national tour. Dallas was selected because of director Megan Mylan’s ties to the area and the City of Dallas’ robust commitment to welcoming refugees.
Megan Mylan graduated from Highland Park High School, her father was a professor at SMU Law School. Her other films include Lost Boys of Sudan and Smile Pinki. Along with the Oscar®, she has been recognized with an Independent Spirit Award, Guggenheim Fellowship, Peabody and several Emmy nominations.
Two of the Syrian refugees featured in the film, Omar and Abed Sabha, were present for the event. Born in Aleppo, Syria, the brothers escaped war and came to the U.S. for medical treatment after 8 year-old Abed lost his leg in a bombing attack. The brothers now live in Houston. Abed is a student at Houston Community College and Omar works in Quality Assurance for Comcast and helps other refugees find tech jobs.
Also featured in the film is Dallas resident Steven Schulman, a pro bono partner with Akin law firm.
Photo: Steven Schulman, James Faust, Megan Mylan, Omar Sabha, Abed Sabha