THE CAT MAN ESHETE

What started with a “hello” from a gentleman surrounded by cats on a street in my neighborhood has grown into a priceless slice of city life. Through the many moons of documenting, Eshete and I have become dear friends and developed a bond that feels lifelong.

Eshete often says it’s a miracle that he’s alive, and though he’s been in NYC for nearly 40 years, in some ways he still lives in a refugee camp of his own making. His story embodies the effects of displacement from violent conflict, which is so relevant globally, given the state of the world. While the trauma from his wartime experience is evident, Eshete’s vibrant spirit, wit, wisdom, generosity and sense of sovereignty shine on.

In all my work, I’m committed to highlighting our humanity and deepening our understanding of one another and ourselves. With this film, we hope to foster compassion. After watching an early cut of the film, a mentor encapsulated it: ‘I’ll never walk by someone on the street again without wondering about their story, where they’re from and what led them here.’