Gary Garvin, a UW-Eau Claire junior marketing major from Black River Falls, was a cinematographer on a film, sharing stories of Somali refugees who have settled down in Baron County and how U.S immigration policies have directly impacted their families.

     Joel Friederich, associate professor of English at UW-Eau Claire, initially wrote the immigrants’ stories, which were published last May in the UWEC-Baron County’s literary journal, Red Cedar.

After the stories were published, IABC members showed interest in using stories as a basis for the “Somali Stories” film project. Lee Friederich contacted Dang Yang, Office of Multicultural Affairs Director, along with Garvin, for help on starting the film.

Gary Garvin receives an award for his contribution to
the film Somali Stories of Family Separation.

“This documentary-style film challenges viewers to connect the evolving federal immigration policies with some of the real community members living in our area,” said Dang Yang.

“I am humbled and honored to have helped encapsulate their stories and to have played such an extensive role in the production of the film. One family separated is one too many,” said Garvin.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR