Douglas Herman

Director/Media Artist/Educator/Activist

Founder: Rough Cut Media/ Cofounder: ReFOCUS Media Labs

[Douglas Herman @dfherman]

PT 1 of 2
2020 has been the most challenging year we've ever faced on Lesvos. Yet in the face of most horrific diversity our #filmmakers rise and rise and rise again. On this #GivingTuesday & holiday season become a FRIEND of the FILMMAKER FUND...
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https://t.co/N4qpbjSNlT

[Douglas Herman @dfherman]

Listen to Joel Hernandez’s take on this issue in our latest episode of "Fractured", now streaming on all platforms, by @refocusmedialabs narrated by @sonianandzik and @joelhdz Original music by Eamon Kelly @eamontheirish Design and production by @dfherman

[Douglas Herman @dfherman]

The European Union has given Ukrainians escaping the Russian aggression a special status with up to 3 years of legal protection, access to the labor market and social security. This generous response however is an exception, not a rule. The EU asylum and migration policy is

[Douglas Herman @dfherman]

lacking ambition arguing that we can’t afford generous responses towards refugees. However our response towards Ukrainians denies those arguments. So why can we afford broad support for Ukrainians and not towards other nationalities?

[Douglas Herman @dfherman]

Since the beginning of the Russian aggression over four million Ukrainians have fled their homeland. Six million more are internally displaced, many looking for safety in Lviv on the West side of the country. New Episode of our Podcast from Lviv now streaming on all platforms.

[Douglas Herman @dfherman]

With thousands of civilians already killed, including 109 children, there's only one way to stop these senseless deaths. And it's the same damn thing you'd be screaming for if you heard the sirens. Close The Sky, Close The Sky, #CloseTheSky

pc: @dfherman @refocusmedialab

[Douglas Herman @dfherman]

Air raid alarms and the apps that alert you to the threat have become the new normal even in #Lviv where everyone internally displaced felt very safe. But the pre-dawn rocket attack on the airport on March 18th clarified that no one is truly safe anywhere in #Ukraine

[Douglas Herman @dfherman]

Please read this entire thread, and realize what is happening right underneath our noses. Just because nations like #Greece are part of the EU doesn't mean they aren't acting like #Putin and #Łukashenko

[refocusmedialabs @refocusmedialab]

Despite the obvious need for worldwide hyper-focus on the war in #Ukraine, there have been dead bodies washing ashore on Lesvos ALL WEEK LONG!!! As posted just hours ago by @ABoatReport another 43 asylum seekers landed on the north side of Lesvos today. (Full report on their FB).

[refocusmedialabs @refocusmedialab]

Przemyśl Railway Station, Poland
This station has become a major point for humanitarian aid for tens of thousands of Ukrainians streaming across the border. In less than one week over 500 000 have already crossed into Poland, and over 1 000 0000 in total have fled Ukraine.

[refocusmedialabs @refocusmedialab]

FRACTURED
S01E02 SPECIAL:
LEAVING UKRAINE
As the violence and heavy bombardment by Russian military forces entered its seventh day, the queues of people seeking refuge have been growing longer at the borders of Poland, Hungary, Moldova, Romania and Slovakia.

[refocusmedialabs @refocusmedialab]

Dorohusk, Poland
In the morning here along the Ukrainian border volunteers thought they would need to relocate to another crossing to provide support, but then the people started coming. Mainly women and children, as men mandated to fight, started streaming across the border

[refocusmedialabs @refocusmedialab]

7 MORE DEAD BODIES WASHED ASHORE IN MYTILINI ON LESVOS TODAY I can't believe we still need to make posts like this, that a beach we hang out on for the past five years would see something as horrific as this.

[refocusmedialabs @refocusmedialab]

Warszawa, Poland- On Sunday nearly 100 000 Ukrainians crossed the border into Poland. By 7am today another 28 000 joined them.
Thousands have come to Warsaw by trains seeking all forms of assistance. Polish government organized info centers for Ukrainians in every city...

[Douglas Herman @dfherman]

Stop this madness!

[refocusmedialabs @refocusmedialab]

LIVE IN WARSAW
"While the politicians ponder, it's always the people in support of the people." -Yaser, Afghan filmmaker in exile. Our @refocusmedialab #citizenjournalists - @LuciferYas @nazanin_froghi @sonianandzik on scene at massive protests in #warszawa

[Douglas Herman @dfherman]

So cool to be on my buddy @DerekRichards3 new podcast- #DerekRichardsProject Thank you for all the continued support, and can't wait to see you on #Lesvos this summer! Check it out on YouTube and Spotify!!!

[refocusmedialabs @refocusmedialab]

Extreme honor and pleasure to be featured on the Derek Richards Project. We go way back with @DerekRichards3 and his wife Cory, who've consistently been @refocusmedialab supports and in many ways are our 1st patrons, ensuring our students are supported to become amazing artists!

[Douglas Herman @dfherman]

Can't end a single week on a positive note on this island. Stop this madness!

[refocusmedialabs @refocusmedialab]

We're still in January, but already two fires have erupted in Mavrovouni camp on #Lesvos #Greece. For many, this is the second winter they have been forced to endure in this "temporary" camp, completely exposed to the elements.

[Douglas Herman @dfherman]

What a fantastic way to start the new year for us! Deep thanks to @natgeo and @lawrencegandrea for the feature, and promotion of our amazing students and @refocusmedialab community!

[National Geographic @NatGeo]

Led by professional photographers and filmmakers from around the world, ReFOCUS courses have given students the ability to express themselves and share stories of struggle and resilience https://t.co/OHvzyj6G0C

[Douglas Herman @dfherman]

Every photographer's dream to work with @natgeo, but even sweeter to have your students and NGO featured! The growth of our @refocusmedialab is the product of collective passions and dreams. New Year, new classes and NEW LABS coming soon, stay tuned!!!

[Lawrence Andrea @lawrencegandrea]

In Greece, I met a group of migrants who learned photography/filmmaking in one of the world's most notorious refugee camps.

They're now using those skills to empower & tell the stories of other migrants. My first for @NatGeo: https://t.co/rwir0pPzCH

[Douglas Herman @dfherman]

BREAKING...AGAIN Yet another fire in the "temporary" camp on #Lesvos in #Greece with over 40 single men displaced. NEW Year, SAME OLD Story, and as Pope Francis put it on December 5, 2021 "Please, let us stop this shipwreck of civilization."
#LeaveNoOneBehind #EuropeMustAct

[refocusmedialabs @refocusmedialab]

Extreme military presence, multiple road blocks, and vehicle searches by Policja in and around #narewka along forest border with #Belarus.

While the officers were kind and polite, remains very uncomfortable to see how routine it is for every vehicle to be thoroughly searched.

[Douglas Herman @dfherman]

Our students laugh when we tell them there are international days that honor things like #humanrights, but their continued lived experience clarifies why it truly is a bad joke.

[refocusmedialabs @refocusmedialab]

Another Intl #HumanRightsDay is upon us while thousands of vulnerable men, women and children begin to endure a second winter in a “temporary” camp on #Lesvos Greece. Tens of thousands remain trapped far away from services and supports in “Closed Centers” throughout #Greece.