Sayfo documentary “Souls in Transit” screened in Teaneck, New Jersey

TEANECK, New Jersey — The documentary film Souls in Transit, which sheds light on the 1915 Sayfo Genocide committed against the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people by the Ottoman Empire, was screened in a local cinema in Teaneck, New Jersey, drawing an emotional response from attendees.

The film’s director, Aida Schlaepfer, attended the screening alongside Shleymun Rhawi, representative of the European Syriac Union (ESU). The documentary combines historical testimony and human storytelling to portray the atrocities inflicted upon innocent civilians—particularly women and children—during the genocide.

Before the screening, attendees observed a moment of silence in honor of the martyrs. The film evoked deep emotions among the audience, who were visibly moved by the imagery and personal accounts presented on screen.

Following the screening, an open discussion was held, during which attendees expressed their reactions and reflected on the importance of preserving the collective memory of the victims. Both Schlaepfer and Rhawi participated in the discussion, emphasizing the vital role of documentation in confronting denial and passing the truth to future generations.