Refugees' resilience celebrated in Kansas City film premier

Finding Refuge in KC, premiering Friday on KCPT in Kansas City, takes us inside the homes and lives of five refugees who are giving back to the community that received them.

A young Congolese man leads his college student government.

A loving Somali mother helps new arrivals like herself.

A Syrian family is grateful for Kansas City’s welcoming spirit and its medical expertise.

A former refugee from Europe is a beloved restaurateur.

And a Vietnamese businessman regales his customers with a soulful version of Frank Sinatra’s “My Way.”

Produced by KCPT and Gusewelle Films, Finding Refuge in Kansas City highlights the extraordinary resilience of immigrants who have endured war, dislocation and stints in refugee camps. The project is produced and directed by Jennie Gusewelle, daughter of the late KCPT contributor and Kansas City Star columnist C.W. Gusewelle. The documentary and video sketches are filmed and edited by Dave Burkhardt of KCPT, one of C.W. Gusewelle’s longtime collaborators at the station.