Musings: “Unlikely Friends”

A new documentary is here to make a difference.“Unlikely Friends” – produced by Leslie Neal of Chance Films (chancefilmsinc.com) and narrated by acclaimed actor Mike Farrell of M*A*S*H – will air on Discovery in October. Dedicated to stories of hope and compassion amidst conflict and challenge, I appear in the documentary as the forgiveness expert. As well, the hour-long documentary ends with the story of my son Tariq and Tony, the boy who took the life of my son.After a well-received speech at the County Anti-Gang Commission / Building Partnership Conference in San Luis Obispo (a trip in which I stayed in beautiful scenic Pismo Beach), I traveled to LA to attend the debut of this powerful documentary, which tells the stories of the following individuals:

• Steve was a State Trooper, who was shot several times and blinded in one eye in pursuit of a bank robber. He has since become best friends with the man who nearly killed him and works to gain his release from prison.
• Debbie lost her only son to a vicious drive-by shooting when her son was only 16 years old. After meeting with her son’s murderer in prison, their connection led to such a deep bond that she now considers him her “other” son.
• Jane is a frequent visitor to her son’s killer at a Florida State Penitentiary. She continues to struggle with society’s judgment on her choice to forgive.
• Radha gave her son’s killer forgiveness “on a silver platter” only to be rejected. But dedicated to her own journey of forgiveness she volunteers with inmates at San Quentin State Prison.
• My boy Tariq, and Tony.

Azim, Leslie Neale, Director, Unlikely Friends

The debut of this powerful documentary took place at the Barnsdall Gallery Theater in Hollywood, attended by over 300 people. The movie was followed by rich discussion among all the individuals in the film plus Professor Fred Luskin who Chairs the Stanford University’s Forgiveness Project, and Blinky Rodriguez, a leading LA Peace Activist working to reduce violence. Leslie Neale also participated in the panel conversation. She is a good friend, a brilliant producer, and did an outstanding job on this documentary. The editor, Paul Westmacott, put his heart and soul in this film and it comes through. It is a must see!  Especially in these times where we need hope in revamping our social and criminal justice system.

The event was organized as a fundraiser for The Amity Foundation (amityfdn.org). It was a special evening and a profitable endeavor for the Amity Foundation. If you are interested to host a similar event in your community, please contact Leslie Neale at: unlikelyfriendsforgive.com/host-an-event or info@unlikelyfriendsforgive.com. Also click this link (unlikelyfriendsforgive.com/trailer) opens a trailer for this powerful movie that is sending a much needed message.

It’s a message of hope, showing the way to build a compassionate civil society and a just and restorative criminal justice system. It’s a message we can all hear – and implement – for the betterment of our society.