IRAQ / SYRIA BLIND REFUGEE

Twelve-year-old Dylan fled to northern Iraq with his family for safety. It was very difficult for the boy, who is blind. But his love of music has helped him survive and to forget the sounds of violence in his native Syria. UNHCR

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:02:26
• Production Date: 20 September 2013
• Asset Language: Original
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES - UNHCR
• Subject Topical: REFUGEES; DISPLACED PERSONS
• Geographic Subject: IRAQ; SYRIA
• MAMS Id: U130920f

Description

STORY: IRAQ / SYRIA BLIND REFUGEE
TRT: 2.26
SOURCE: UNHCR
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ARABIC / NATS

DATELINE: 3-6 JUNE 2013, QUSHSTAPA, NORTHERN IRAQ

Shotlist

1. Various shots, Dylan playing the saz
2. Wide shot, interior of school
3. Med shot, woman washing Dykan
4. 14. SOUNDBITE Dylan (12 years old) Syrian Refugee:
“I used to regularly play music for my friends and sing for them…But when I would hear the sound of shelling from planes I would stop abruptly. I used to run to my parents… because I was so terrified.”
5. Wide shot, Dylan and his family
6. Med shot, Dylan’s Father helps him with his saz
7. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Mohamed Syrian refugee, Dylan’s father:
“This instrument means everything to him. When Dylan was four years old his grandfather bought it for him and when he grew up we taught him to use it. He became very attached to it so even when we were crossing the border he refused to let it go. He hugged it tightly to his chest as he walked.”
8. Med shot, Dylan talking to other young man
9. Med shot, father walking blind boy
7. Med shot, Dylan’s and his fathers legs as they walk
8. Med shot, Dylan’s eyes
9. Med shot, Dylan’s father wiping his mouth and chin
10. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Mohamed, Syrian refugee, Dylan’s father:
“Dylan is blind, not deaf. So he used to hear the sounds of shelling outside. One day he told me I am afraid, lets to leave to Kurdistan, which is why we came. So even if he did not see just hearing the sound of explosions and bombs had a big impact on him.
Having music around us helps a lot here. We left our country to come to our second home (Kurdistan)”
11. Med shot, Dylan playing the saz
12. Med shot, people listening
13. Med shot, Dylan’s father listening together with other people
14. Wide shot, people listening
15. Med shot, mother holding child
16. Wide shot, hallway of school shot from above

Storyline

Music is a passion for Dylan.

Dylan is a Syrian Kurd one of the thousands who recently fled into Northern Iraq driven away by the war inside their country.

SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Dylan, 12 years old Syrian refugee:
“I used to regularly play music for my friends and sing for them. But when I would hear the sound of shelling from planes I would stop abruptly. I used to run to my parents… because I was so terrified.”

To protect his son and his love of music the family left.

SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Mohamed Syrian refugee, Dylan’s father:
“This instrument means everything to him. When Dylan was four years old his grandfather bought it for him and when he grew up we taught him to use it. He became very attached to it, so even when we were crossing the border he refused to let it go. He hugged it tightly to his chest as he walked.”

That journey was a hard one for everyone, but all the most so for Dylan. He’s blind.
The boy’s fears were made worse by the sounds of war.

SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Mohamed Syrian refugee, Dylan’s father:
“Dylan is blind, not deaf. So he used to hear the sounds of shelling outside. One day he told me I am afraid, let’s to leave to Kurdistan, which is why we came. So even if he did not see just hearing the sound of explosions and bombs had a big impact on him. Having music around us helps a lot here. We left our country to come to our second home (Kurdistan)”

The music Dylan plays is a reminder for all the refugees of what they have left behind or what they miss and what they dearly hope they will find again.