Sorayya: An American Girl

Sorayya Nazari is quickly learning what it means to be "American" in her first few months in the United States. She procrastinates instead of studying, takes selfies, and likes to show off her favorite teal nail polish.

Sorayya's long journey to the U.S. started five years ago as her family fled Afghanistan. The entire Nazari family lived together as refugees in Turkey until Sorayya, her mother, and three younger siblings fled her abusive father and were finally able to resettle in the United States.

As their financial support from the government runs out, Sorayya has to look for a job and act as a breadwinner and parental figure to her brother and sisters. She must balance her love of recreational boxing with her need to take on more familial responsibility.

The full short-form documentary runs 20 minutes. It was shot in 4K resolution on a Sony FS5 in the spring of 2017. The action unfolds over the first few weeks of the Nazaris' new life in the U.S. and celebrates her joy and the resiliency of this remarkable family.