Tadias Magazine
By Tadias Staff

Published: Tuesday, May 20, 2008

New York (Tadias) – We recently received an invitation from Producer and Director Chris Flaherty to attend a screening of his new film Migration of Beauty, which was initially a documentary about the success of Ethiopians in America, but which later was transformed to a reflection on the Diaspora’s reaction to the controversial 2005 Ethiopian elections.

Although the film tackles one of the biggest domestic Ethiopian political events in recent memory, Flaherty is sensitive about using the word ‘politics’ in reference to his film.

“For the record, my film has more to do with human rights than politics”, he said in a recent email exchange. “Please don’t confuse human rights with politics. They are not the same.”

Then why is it that the “A” list of invitees for the screening include two Congressman, most decidedly political figures in this country? Flaherty has not yet responded to our interview questions.

Earlier updates from the producer received in November 2006 had described the film’s intent as follows:”Often the only things some people seem to know about Ethiopia are the issues of famine and war. Considering what the media reports you might have a rather bleak picture of things. In our documentary film, Migration of Beauty, we will attempt to reveal the side of Ethiopia most people never see.” Flaherty had shared with us that he had “invited some uniquely qualified people to talk about the rich culture Ethiopians bring to the U.S. as well as the beautiful land they come from. In the end, we believe you will agree it is truly a migration of beauty.”

But then the filmmaker himself migrates back…to 2005 and the outcomes of the Ethiopian election.

On May 16, 2008, we received a note stating: “As you know, the documentary deals with the Ethiopian/American experience of political participation within a fair democratic process.” Flaherty explains in his invitation that “the film examines the Ethiopian 2005 national election and how the diaspora reacted to its tragic events.”

Above: Chris Flaherty (Photo from Tadias archive)

Fair enough, a dialogue about the 2005 Ethiopian elections is just as important a topic, worthy of film as any other. It did after all, make headlines across the globe. There is a story being told here…just not the one we had originally been told.

As for the original title, Migration of Beauty, it has become puzzling; what part of the tragic events of 2005 depicted a migration of beauty?” A beautiful resilience maybe, and a migration of talent to more safer shores even.

So the story of Ethiopian American success, however, is still there…for the telling perhaps in the next film.

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The screening of the film is private and by invitation only.