(PDF) (DOC) (JPG)February 23, 2009

MAHWAH – While the journeys to Afghanistan and Colombia featured in filmmaker Kelly Dolak’s “Postcards from Tora Bora” and Julia Gregor’s “The Origin of My Middle Name” are at opposite ends of the earth, both portray the fulfillment of dreams unattainable for many young women returning to the land of their birth.  Gregor and Dolak, who is a professor of television at Ramapo College of New Jersey, will screen portions of their films and discuss the H-Wing Auditorium.

“Postcards from Tora Bora,” which premiered in the prestigious Tribeca Film Festival in 2007, follows protagonist Wazhmah Osman as she returns to her homeland of Afghanistan to reflect on her severed roots and reconnect with her father.  Osman struggles to understand her father’s decision to remain during the 1979 Soviet invasion. While his wife and children flee, he chooses his countrymen over his family.

“The Origins of my Middle Name” follows Julia Gregor’s story in a first-person documentary-style account of her return to the country of her birth.  Adopted at three months of age, Gregor, a filmmaker and activist living in New York City, has always searched for her true identity. She journeyed to Bogota, Columbia in 2007 to search for her biological family. While there, she finds a community of adoptees.

The event is free and open to the public.  For more information, please contact Pat Keeton at pkeeton@ramapo.edu or Jessica Anton at janton@ramapo.edu.

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About Ramapo College

Ramapo College of New Jersey is the state’s premier public liberal arts college and is committed to academic excellence through interdisciplinary and experiential learning, and international and intercultural understanding. The comprehensive college is situated among the beautiful Ramapo Mountains, is within commuting distance to New York City, was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful College Campuses in America by CondeNast Traveler, and boasts the best on-campus housing in New Jersey per Niche.com. Established in 1969, Ramapo College offers bachelor’s degrees in the arts, business, data science, humanities, social sciences and the sciences, as well as in professional studies, which include business, education, nursing and social work. In addition, the College offers courses leading to teacher certification at the elementary and secondary levels, and offers graduate programs leading to master’s degrees in Accounting, Applied Mathematics, Business Administration, Contemporary Instructional Design, Computer Science, Creative Music Technology, Data Science, Educational Leadership, Nursing, Social Work and Special Education, as well as a Doctor of Nursing Practice.

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