TRANSCENDENCE
A Journey of Hope & Healing
A Human Rights Documentary
By Jane C Wagner & Tina DiFeliciantonio
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… ”
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.”
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
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...
-
Connect Us
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
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