Brandt Andersen gets candid for his new film "I Was A Stranger"
- The Real Perspectives
- Jan 13
- 3 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Reel Perspectives
January 13, 2026
Listen to the audio version of the interview
I Was A Stranger is a powerful call for empathy in a world that desperately needs it. The film encourages viewers to confront their own prejudices and comfort zones, emphasizing realism over spectacle and compassion over dramatization.
Produced by Angel Studios and inspired by the Syrian refugee crisis of 2015, the film begins in Chicago in 2023 with a striking shot of Trump's International Hotel and Tower. It weaves together the lives of five individuals on their difficult journeys:
- Dr. Amira Homsi (Yasmine Al Massri), a doctor who was forced to flee Aleppo with her young daughter eight years earlier.
- Mustafah (Yahya Mahayni), a conflicted soldier wrestling with his conscience.
- Marwan (Omar Sy), an opportunistic smuggler fighting to save his son.
- Fathi (Ziad Bakri), a patriarch leading his family towards safety.
- Captain Stavros (Constantine Markoulakis), a compassionate Greek coast guard captain who witnesses the crisis at sea and is tormented by the lives saved and lost.
Told in reverse chronological order, the film delves into themes of survival and compassion, presenting realistic portrayals of the heartbreak and dangers faced by those seeking refuge. Their lives intersect one fateful night in the Mediterranean, where survival hangs by a thread, revealing humanity at its rawest.
Drawing from countless true stories of displaced Syrians, director Brandt Andersen, in his feature directorial debut, delivers a poignant debut bringing his vision to life through a script he wrote and produced after spending significant time observing the struggles of Syrians.
Following its premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival, the film rightfully won the Amnesty International Prize - an honor it undeniably deserves. Andersen's direction, deliberate pacing, and careful attention to detail powerfully emphasize the characters' heartfelt emotions without reducing them to stereotypes or injecting political agendas or propaganda.
Reel Perspectives recently had the privilege of speaking with Brandt Andersen, who based his film on his short film titled "Refugee." A passionate activist for immigrant rights, Andersen shared the motivations behind his film and his desire for people to recognize that migrants seeking a better life are not fundamentally different from anyone else. We often think that such situations could never happen to us, but many individuals find themselves thrust into impossible circumstances through no fault of their own.
Drawing on his own experience, Andersen, a resident of Malibu, recalled a terrifying incident in which a rapidly approaching fire threatened his home. He and his sixteen-year-old son found themselves facing a life-altering situation that they never expected. He initially believed there was an escape route for him and his son, but he soon realized it was not an option. The experience underscored how quickly people can find themselves in life-threatening situations, forced to make incredibly difficult decisions that impact not only themselves but also their loved ones.
The film boldly challenges the notion that all refugees are criminals and terrorists. Instead, it highlights the inhumanity and injustice that have denied immigrants the hope of survival in their own countries and urges viewers to look beyond borders, differences, and politics.
I Was A Stranger is a raw, powerful, and deeply human film. Andersen invites viewers to experience the world and its people through a lens of authenticity and emotional resonance, conveying sincerity and compassion. With honest performances and a story that lingers long after the credits roll, Andersen's direction emphasizes empathy over judgment. It encourages the audience to view individuals not as abstract concepts but as people with dignity, fear, hope, and resilience. It is a heartfelt viewing experience that leaves you challenged, reminding us all of the power of kindness and understanding.
"I Was A Stranger" is currently showing in theaters near you.
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