Feature Film ‘Fremont’ Captures an Afghan Refugee’s Efforts to Make a New Life in the Bay

California is home to over 66,000 people of Afghan decent, according to 2019 census figures, many of whom reside in Fremont’s unofficially named “Little Kabul.” The city has long been a base for the Afghan diaspora and headquarters for many organizations that specifically assist Afghan migrants. In his new feature film ‘Fremont,’ director Babak Jalali tells the story of a refugee and former translator for the U.S. military who recently settled in the Bay Area  after fleeing her home. Donya struggles with guilt, insomnia and questions of what to do with her new life. We’ll talk about the film, the limits of a community’s ability to heal and how to move on from a traumatic past.