Excerpts from “Midnight Traveler,” a documentary of an Afghan family fleeing the Taliban, played for RBHS students first block yesterday for the True Life Fund, an effort by the True/False Film Festival to raise money and awareness for causes worldwide. Director of the True Life Fund, Allison Coffelt, said “Midnight Traveler” had a real impact for an important cause.
“We always looking for a film where the money we raise can make a significant difference for the  lives of the people on screen,” Coffelt said. “This movie in particular was really special not only because we fall really in love with the Fazili family and we also have a chance to honor the subjects and the directors of the film.”
The documentary followed the family’s journey as they tried to find a home after running from a bounty placed on Hassan Fazili by the Taliban. Sophomore William Yoo thought the cellphone-directed film offered incredible insight into a relevant topic.
“For us to have exposure that close to home of that important of an issue over that unique of a medium was captivating and immersive,” Yoo said. “I think it is interesting how at the end they showed a clip of the daughter mentioning Rock Bridge High School, it all seemed very genuine.”
The connection with the family made the purpose of True Life Fund more personal for RBHS, sophomore Bet Menen said. Coffelt and Menen both feel the Fazili family is a deserving cause for help for True Life Fund this year.
“I think it’s a super amazing opportunity not only for us to give to a family in need, but also for this family to get the help that they’ve been looking for,” Menen said. “After seeing the clips from the documentary, I can already see how much the family has been through and I think it’s amazing that normal people in Missouri can have such a huge impact on the life of people an ocean away.”
The fundraising for True Life Fund will continue through the True/False festival this weekend, Coffelt said. Yoo is appreciative of the work the festival has put toward helping the Fazili family and wants to help more.
“I’m excited for True/False, and I wish we could do more things like this,” Yoo said. “Being exposed to more realistic example of current issues outside of the classroom with our student body is a great way for us to be immersed in current issues [and] gives us more perspective.”