The award-winning HBO documentary SIMPLE AS WATER will screen next week in Dallas-Fort Worth at Violet Crown, SMU and The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. Screenings are open to the public and will be followed by a Q&A with the Oscar-winning director, Megan Mylan, who was raised in Dallas and film subjects, two Syrian refugees living in Texas.
New York Times Critic’s Pick Simple as Water is a love story celebrating the bonds of family by 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 for which Dallas was selected because of 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, and 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 now live in Houston. 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. Abed is now 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. Screenings are in partnership with Dallas Film, SMU’s Bush Institute, Dedman School of Law, Hunt Institute for Engineering & Humanity, as well as City of Dallas Welcoming Communities and Immigrant Affairs.
Monday, April 3 at 6:30pm
SMU, Caruth Hall 206, Hunt Institute, Lyle School of Engineering
Admission is free
Tuesday, April 4 at 7:00pm
Violet Crown 3699 McKinney Ave Dallas, TX 75204
Tickets benefit earthquake relief: https://dallas.violetcrown.com/movie/VC001047
Thursday, April 6
The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth
Admission is free
