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The Promise of Freedom

Thousands of Iraqis risked everything to work for the U.S.-led
occupation because they believed in democracy. Serving as interpreters,
civil society experts and reconstruction contractors, they set out to
build a new Iraq. Today, they are targeted by insurgents as "traitors"
and marked for death.

Because their pleas for refuge in the United States have fallen on deaf
ears at the highest levels of government, they are fleeing their homes
and joining millions of Iraqi refugees in what has become the world's
fastest-growing humanitarian crisis. Frustrated by the government's
abandonment of its "Iraqi allies," a small group of Americans is taking
matters into their own hands. Led by Kirk Johnson, a former USAID
employee in Baghdad and Fallujah, a coalition of private citizens,
soldiers and lawyers is compiling a comprehensive list of those in
gravest danger, and one-by-one, doing everything they can to help these
Iraqis start new lives.

THE PROMISE OF FREEDOM is a documentary feature that traces the
intersecting stories of U.S.-affiliated Iraqis and the Americans who
believe it is an urgent moral obligation to help them. The film follows
their difficult journeys from Iraq to Syria, Jordan, Egypt, and for
some, on to their new homes in America. Through their eyes, we will see
the Iraq War in a new light — from the perspective of Iraqis who truly
believed in the promise of freedom, but became disillusioned by
America's failure to uphold its own values.

Related projects:

Iraq: Death of a Nation? (Revisited)

Syria and Jordan: The Iraqi Exodus

Beth Murphy

Beth Murphy is a documentary producer, director, author and university professor. She is the founder of Principle Pictures, an independent film company committed to giving voice to the voiceless, raising awareness about important social issues, and inspiring education and action through entertainment... Click on name above for full bio

Sean Flynn

As a Producer and Cinematographer at Principle Pictures, Sean is involved in all aspects of documentary development, production, marketing and distribution.   Most recently, he served as Associate Producer and Director of Photography in Afghanistan on BEYOND BELIEF, which premiered at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival... Click on name above for full bio

Kevin Belli

As a Senior Editor and Cinematographer since 2001, Kevin Belli is an important creative force behind all Principle Pictures programming.  His extensive credit list includes the award-winning feature documentary BEYOND BELIEF, History Channel’s FLYING PYRAMIDS—SOARING STONES,