Utica: The Last Refuge - Documentary Film Premieres Tomorrow

Join us tomorrow November 13th at 7:00pm at The Stanley Theater for the premiere of the documentary film Utica: The Last Refuge

The Center, along with supporters/corporate advocates Indium Corporation and Bank of Utica, and with a grant from CNY Arts, invites the community to join them at the Stanley Theatre on Saturday, November 13, 2021, at 7 pm for the film premiere of Utica: The Last Refuge. 


Utica: The Last Refuge opens with the Azeins, a refugee family from Sudan, arriving at Syracuse International Airport. After spending six years in a camp in Ethiopia, they have at last made it to the US, where they are welcomed by Abdelshakour, an employee of Utica's venerable refugee resettlement agency, and a fellow refugee from Sudan. 
Watch the Trailer 

Filmmakers worked with The Center for more than 4 years, documenting not only the arrival of the Azeins, but The Center's move to a new building and the survival through years of record low refugee arrivals. This film peels back
the layers, the interconnectedness of people, services, and the larger Utica community, to welcome refugees. The film
celebrates hope, resiliency and the human spirit in a small, vibrant city in the Mohawk Valley.


“Everything in this film- the slices of everyday life, the intimacy- details a people and a community who found each other and gained salvation. I am proud to say it is my community and I have never before seen it captured so
perfectly.” - John Zogby

There will be a question and answer panel with the filmmaker, Loch Phillipps, directly following the showing. 
Tickets are $10 general/$5 student and available at The Stanley Box Office at 315-724-4000.

Read the full press release