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TRANSCENDENCE

A Journey of Hope & Healing

A Human Rights Documentary 

By Jane C Wagner & Tina DiFeliciantonio

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Survivors themselves can be the most powerful voices in the fight against human rights abuse. But before they can speak out, survivors must heal.

Filmed over ten years at the Bellevue Program for Survivors of Torture, this intimate documentary — the first of its kind — follows the healing journeys of four asylees who come to the U.S. seeking refuge as they work with care providers to overcome unimaginable cruelty, rebuild their lives, and find the strength to speak out against those who terrorized their communities in the countries they once called home.

As each person tells their story, they reverse the silence their oppressors sought to impose. By speaking out, they are taking radical action in the name of freedom — and delivering a message of hope, healing, courage, and resistance that is more important than ever.

Watch the Trailer

Transcendence will awaken consciences, open hearts, and inspire people around the world.”

- Harry Belafonte, artist, civil rights leader, and human rights activist

Meet the Survivors

By speaking out, they are taking radical action in the name of freedom — and delivering a message of hope, healing, courage, and resistance that is more important than ever.

KADIJATU BARRY | Sierra Leone

“I know I’m survivor already. To come here, I’m survivor. That’s I wanna see myself smiling all the time… ”

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KALSANG PELMO| Tibet

“People are self-immolating for us, for our people. I feel like my family is burning, like my body is burning…. This makes me cry every day.”

SOULEYMANE GUENGUENG | Chad

As I always say, someone who hasn’t been tortured will never understand us. And they wonder are we crazy for speaking out? But this is what we need to do.”

DONRODGE GOSLIN| Jamaica 

“I’ve lived a life that nobody should live and I don’t know how I survived it.”

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Host a Screening

Share these stories in your community

We can Transcend Trauma Together

• Amplify the work of advocates

• Educate frontline workers

• Rebuild Shatter lives

• Explore the issue of torture

• Bring open dialogue to your community

We partner with nonprofits, government agencies, universities, and more! Host an in-person or online screening event.

Meet the Bellevue Program for Survivors of Torture Care Partners

HAWTHORNE SMITH, Ph.D.
Program Director & Psychologist

“Everything those rebels did could never destroy the love your family put inside you. Everything hatred tried to do could not kill love.”

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Healing from Unimaginable Suffering

Over three quarters of the world – 141 countries  still torture.

44% of refugees and asylum seekers are torture survivors. Without healing, the future is bleak.

Support services can rebuild healthy, self-sufficient lives.

Without support, over 70% continue to experience depression, anxiety, social isolation, low self-esteem, and anger reverberating through the family, communities, and beyond.

Early identification and evidence-based treatment make hope and healing possible.

Transcending Trauma Together

There are many ways that you can help...

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Funded by the generosity of:

John & Catherine DiFeliciantonio

Lisa Gallotta

Susie Gomes

Wagner - Hogan Family

Marion & Mark Howard  

Linda & Anthony Rocca

Margaret Wagner  

Marlena Weinstein

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INDIVIDUAL DONORS

Karen Bernstein

Arthur Dong

Lisa Erf & David Hodges

Denise Gentile

Jim Morrison & Mitch Heller

Glenn Holsten

Toby Kahn

Arlene Kriv

Stuart Levy

Andrew Liptiz

Erica Marcus

Peter McManus

Adviti Muni

Michelle Onello

Allen J. Oster

Lauren Schloss

Lesley Ann Skillen

Laurie Stricks

Ruth Thomas Suh

Lorna Thomas

Anna Maria Vona 

David Weissman

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