{"id":9030,"date":"2016-06-23T15:10:26","date_gmt":"2016-06-23T20:10:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.wnpt.org\/mediaupdate\/?p=9030"},"modified":"2016-10-04T00:07:18","modified_gmt":"2016-10-04T05:07:18","slug":"next-door-neigbhors-becoming-american-premiere","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.wnpt.org\/mediaupdate\/2016\/06\/23\/next-door-neigbhors-becoming-american-premiere\/","title":{"rendered":"NPT\u2019s ‘Next Door Neighbors: Becoming American’ Documentary Premieres June 23"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Across the United States, mid-sized cities like Nashville are experiencing unprecedented growth in their international populations. Together these communities are redefining the traditional international city on a smaller local scale. Nashville Public Television\u2019s Next Door Neighbors<\/strong><\/a> series of documentaries looks at the challenges faced and the contributions made by people who have come from other countries to make their home in Nashville and Middle Tennessee.<\/p>\n

Next Door Neighbors: Becoming American, <\/strong><\/a>the ninth documentary in NPT\u2019s award-winning series, premieres Thursday, June 23, at 8 p.m.<\/strong> The film will then be available for viewing online at wnpt.org <\/a><\/p>\n

The 30-minute program shares the stories of four individuals who faced resettlement in the U.S. to escape the atrocities of war and the burden of poverty.<\/p>\n

They are: Sisavanh Pouthavong Houghton, an artist and MTSU professor who barely escaped war-ravaged Laos as a young girl and now makes arts that reflects her journey; Brendali Menjivar, who survived violence and poverty in El Salvador; and Eh and Zahraa, classmates at John Overton High School from Burma and Iraq, respectively, who are now balancing American cultural norms with those of their families and homelands.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat first generation of immigrant students have to enter into the new American culture, yet keep those ties,\u201d says Gini Pupo-Walker, Conexi\u00f3n Am\u00e9ricas senior director of education policy and strategic growth, in the documentary.<\/p>\n

Through these stories of pursuing the American dream, Next Door Neighbors: Becoming American<\/strong> examines how age, education, family and culture affect one\u2019s ability to succeed in the United States.<\/p>\n

\"NDNNext Door Neighbors: Becoming American<\/strong> was produced by Shawn Anfinson and Ed Jones, both of whom have previously produced long-form and short projects in NPT\u2019s Next Door Neighbors<\/strong> and Next Door Neighbors: Storytellers<\/strong> series.<\/p>\n

NPT\u2019s Next Door Neighbors: Becoming American<\/strong> is made possible by the generous support of The Nissan Foundation.<\/p>\n

Additional broadcast times for Next Door Neighbors: Becoming American <\/strong>are below; the documentary will also be available for online viewing on our website, wnpt.org.<\/a><\/p>\n