Cast & Crew

Lara Alqasem (Nardin 1) is a Palestinian-American who grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She was first introduced to the power of storytelling for the purpose of preserving and sharing history at the Samuel Proctor Oral History Program in Gainesvil

Lara Alqasem (Nardin 1) is a Palestinian-American who grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She was first introduced to the power of storytelling for the purpose of preserving and sharing history at the Samuel Proctor Oral History Program in Gainesville, Florida. Since then, she has worked in different capacities to help build advocacy initiatives that respond directly to people's daily experiences and needs. She is currently a Masters student in Jerusalem and lives with her four beloved cats.

Selena Goods (Siwar & Ensemble) is a recent graduate of New College of Florida where she served as Student Government Co-President. She was the Outreach Coordinator for Million Hoodies West Florida chapter, a racial justice grassroots organization th

Selena Goods (Siwar & Ensemble) is a recent graduate of New College of Florida where she served as Student Government Co-President. She was the Outreach Coordinator for Million Hoodies West Florida chapter, a racial justice grassroots organization that focused on ending racism, mass criminalization, and gun violence. She currently resides in Florida where she is figuring out how to transition her activism beyond college spaces.

Darius Khalil Gordon (Asel) is the former National Field Organizer for the Center for Popular Democracy, lead organizer for Citizen Action of New York, and National Organizer for the Gathering for Justice. Darius first came to New York to serve as Af

Darius Khalil Gordon (Asel) is the former National Field Organizer for the Center for Popular Democracy, lead organizer for Citizen Action of New York, and National Organizer for the Gathering for Justice. Darius first came to New York to serve as African American and Youth director for a State Assembly campaign. He next worked with the Working Families Canvassing and Fundraising team. Through those years of organizing, Darius worked on and won campaigns such as Fight for $15, paid sick and family leave and helped get Raise the Age legislation passed in New York state. He’s a Washington D.C native.

Nyeemah Holman (Narrator) is a poet and a student activist from Poughkeepsie, New York. She is attending FIT to major in black studies and fashion design hoping to make an impact in the world.

Nyeemah Holman (Narrator) is a poet and a student activist from Poughkeepsie, New York. She is attending FIT to major in black studies and fashion design hoping to make an impact in the world.

Dontay Jackson (Ensemble) was born and raised in Poughkeepsie NY. He is an education organizer, but uses his platform for any unheard voice. Dontay is currently preparing to further his studies in trade school.

Dontay Jackson (Ensemble) was born and raised in Poughkeepsie NY. He is an education organizer, but uses his platform for any unheard voice. Dontay is currently preparing to further his studies in trade school.

Marquis Jenkins (Baraa & Ensemble) is WE ACT’s Director of Organizing, leading a team responsible for organizing and membership. He previously worked as the senior community organizer at the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, supporting commun

Marquis Jenkins (Baraa & Ensemble) is WE ACT’s Director of Organizing, leading a team responsible for organizing and membership. He previously worked as the senior community organizer at the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, supporting communities of color organizing around criminal justice. Prior, he was an organizer with Good Old Lower East Side, Inc, focused on organizing public housing residents. Marquis began organizing at the age of 17, when he ran for resident association president of his public housing development. Marquis attended Touro College, majoring in Education and Psychology.

Nerlande Joseph (Nardin 2) is a first generation Haitian-American and is born and raised in Miami, Florida. She currently is an attorney, but her passions are really what keep her busy. She is a community organizer, poet, photographer, and birth do

Nerlande Joseph (Nardin 2) is a first generation Haitian-American and is born and raised in Miami, Florida. She currently is an attorney, but her passions are really what keep her busy. She is a community organizer, poet, photographer, and birth doula. Her goal is to help others realize that they themselves can shift change and can create their vision. History is filled with courageous individuals who dared to use their voices and tools to make a difference.

James Klynn (Ensemble) is an artist, writer, producer, and educator born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. Now living in south Florida, he uses his love of poetry, MCing & stage presence, and weaves performances deep in storytelling and varied musica

James Klynn (Ensemble) is an artist, writer, producer, and educator born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. Now living in south Florida, he uses his love of poetry, MCing & stage presence, and weaves performances deep in storytelling and varied musical expressions.

Margaret Kwateng (Jamelih) is an organizer and storyteller originally from Brooklyn. Her political foundation developed during her years in the Hudson Valley, where she organized around the fight for affordable gas and electricity, equitably funded s

Margaret Kwateng (Jamelih) is an organizer and storyteller originally from Brooklyn. Her political foundation developed during her years in the Hudson Valley, where she organized around the fight for affordable gas and electricity, equitably funded schools, and police and prison guard accountability. She is currently the National Green New Deal Organizer with Grassroots Global Justice, building toward a regenerative feminist economy. She is the happy steward to many house plants.

Amber Murchison (Ensemble) is located in New York’s Hudson Valley. After many years working with youth in the foster care system she is beginning to explore activism again in new ways. She enjoys making music, good company and exploring ways to to c

Amber Murchison (Ensemble) is located in New York’s Hudson Valley. After many years working with youth in the foster care system she is beginning to explore activism again in new ways. She enjoys making music, good company and exploring ways to to create a just and equitable future.

E. Stanley Richardson (Hassan) is an American poet, actor, playwright, social/political commentator and lecturer. He is the inaugural Poet Laureate of Alachua County, Florida (2020 - 2022 and author of the award-winning book of poetry "Hip Hop Is Dea

E. Stanley Richardson (Hassan) is an American poet, actor, playwright, social/political commentator and lecturer. He is the inaugural Poet Laureate of Alachua County, Florida (2020 - 2022 and author of the award-winning book of poetry "Hip Hop Is Dead - Long Live Hip Hop: The Birth, Death And Resurrection Of Hip Hop Activism" 2017). His poetry has appeared in various literary publications in the United States and abroad.

St James Valsin (Mustafa & Ensemble) is an artist and community advocate. Born to Haitian immigrant parents and raised in Miami, Florida, James has worked with organizations like Green Peace, Dream Defenders, and Black Lives Matter to bring about a m

St James Valsin (Mustafa & Ensemble) is an artist and community advocate. Born to Haitian immigrant parents and raised in Miami, Florida, James has worked with organizations like Green Peace, Dream Defenders, and Black Lives Matter to bring about a more just society. Today James teaches guitar and poetry in public schools throughout Miami-Dade.

Nada Elia (Facilitator) is a Palestinian born in Baghdad and raised in Beirut, where she worked as a journalist covering the (un)civil war. Now Seattle-based, her activism focuses on resisting institutionalized systems of oppression (racism, sexism,

Nada Elia (Facilitator) is a Palestinian born in Baghdad and raised in Beirut, where she worked as a journalist covering the (un)civil war. Now Seattle-based, her activism focuses on resisting institutionalized systems of oppression (racism, sexism, criminal injustice). Elia teaches Arab American Studies at Western Washington University, and is a regular contributor to Mondoweiss and Middle East Eye. She co-edited INCITE! Women and Trans People of Color’s Law Enforcement Violence Toolkit for Activists, as well as Critical Ethnic Studies: A Reader, and is working on a manuscript about the politics of solidarity.

Heather Holmes (Performance director) From TX. Performer, writer, and teaching artist. Domestic and international art and theater projects. Filmmaker and theater-maker, avid storyteller. Spelman College, University of Houston, The New School for

Heather Holmes (Performance director) From TX. Performer, writer, and teaching artist. Domestic and international art and theater projects. Filmmaker and theater-maker, avid storyteller. Spelman College, University of Houston, The New School for Drama, EmergeNYC. Lead facilitator for Donkeysaddle Projects. Former roller skater recently returned to the craft.

Brittany King (Associate Producer) is a Project Director for Donkeysaddle Projects. She is from Fort Lauderdale, FL and is a member of Dream Defenders. Brittany started her organizing after the police killings of Eric Garner and Mike Brown. Brittany

Brittany King (Associate Producer) is a Project Director for Donkeysaddle Projects. She is from Fort Lauderdale, FL and is a member of Dream Defenders. Brittany started her organizing after the police killings of Eric Garner and Mike Brown. Brittany is committed to work that builds power within communities of color, helping folks rediscover their cultural and political importance in today’s society. She wishes to provide her community members with a different way to interact with each other, their world, and their narratives, through cultivating music, art, storytelling, theatre and video.

Jen Marlowe (Playwright, film director) is an author/filmmaker/playwright and human rights activist. Her most recent book is I Am Troy Davis written with innocent death row prisoner Troy Davis and his sister. Her previous books include The Hour of Su

Jen Marlowe (Playwright, film director) is an author/filmmaker/playwright and human rights activist. Her most recent book is I Am Troy Davis written with innocent death row prisoner Troy Davis and his sister. Her previous books include The Hour of Sunlight: One Palestinian’s Journey from Prisoner to Peacemaker, and Darfur Diaries: Stories of Survival. Her films include Remembering the Gaza War, Witness Bahrain, One Family in Gaza, Rebuilding Hope: Sudan’s Lost Boys Return Home and Darfur Diaries: Message from Home. www.donkeysaddle.org.

Full Credits

Written, directed & produced by Jen Marlowe

Director of photography: Daniel Sonis

Additional camera:

Venante Alcida

Baraa Aslih

Jen Marlowe

Hugo Prieto

St James Valsin

Caleb Woods 

Original score by Dave Randall

Creative design by Tara Tee

Sound design by Talal Jabari

Color correction by Eyal Dimant

Associate producers: 

Baraa Aslih

Brittany King

Editing consultants:

Emma Alpert

Rabab Haj Yahya

Phillip Montgomery

There Is A Field Performance

Director: Heather Holmes

Assistant director: Brittany King

Workshop leader: Nada Elia

Playwright: Jen Marlowe

Dramaturgs: Ed Mast, Noelle Ghoussaini, Deepa Purohit

Cast:

Lara Alqasem (Nardin 1)

Selena Goods (Siwar, Ensemble)

Darius Khalil Gordon (Asel)

Nyeemah Holman: (Narrator)

Dontay Jackson (Ensemble)

Marquis Jenkins (Baraa, Ensemble)

Nerlande Joseph (Nardin 2)

James Klynn (Ensemble)

Margaret Kwateng (Jamelih)

Amber Murchison (Ensemble)

E Stanley Richardson (Hassan)

St James Valsin (Mustafa, Ensemble)

Archival footage/photography courtesy of:

ActiveStills

Lara Alqasem

Asleh family

GALEX Foundation, Inc (from “October’s Cry”)

Selena Goods

Walter Hergt

Marquis Jenkins

James Klynn

Multitude Films (from “Love the Sinner”)

Shireen Namoura, Rana Khourieh, Nihal Abboud (from “Broken Branch”)

Ron Roman & Eli Shteinberg (from “The Terrible Day”)

Scott Ross

Additional archival material:

9TV

ABC News

Al Arz

BBC

Ha’aretz

Israel Channel 2

KAN Broadcasting

Seeds of Peace

Wikimedia

Fair use consultant: Peter Jaszi 

Graphic design: Eva Najjar

Arabic translation:

Sima al-Jallad

Fadi Abu Shammalah

Ahmed Hamad

Very special thank you to Adalah Justice Project, Dream Defenders, US Campaign for Palestinian Rights, Cherrell Brown, Izzy Mustafa and Nour Jaghama for their support with the film's impact and outreach campaign.

Special thank you:

Just Vision

Peñasco Theatre Collective 

Rockefeller Brothers Fund

Thank you:

Ahmad Abuznaid

Emma Alpert

Suhad Babaa

Nadia Ben-Youssef

Perry Cammack

Jessica Devaney

Isabella Dominique

Karen Karnicki

Libby Lenkinski

Amber Murchison

Alessandra Ogren

Ariadne Papagapitos

Maya Reiner

Adham Rishmawi

Rula Salameh

Sawsan Samara

Kate Schwartz 

Sandra Tamari

rafa tarín