I wanted my first review of the new year to be something positive, uplifting, and local.
“Utica: The Last Refuge” is a 2021 documentary from filmmaker Loch Phillipps. Set in my hometown of Utica, NY, the piece highlights the positive impact immigrants and refugees have had on the city. Specifically, the story follows the Azein family as they flee war torn Sudan in the hopes of starting a new and better life.
The Immigrant Impact
We get the historical data of the city. As the center point of the Erie Canal, Utica once boasted a populous of over 100,000 people. Shifts in manufacturing and urban flight saw a decline in population and prosperity. The city became a beacon for refugees in the 1990s, which began a cultural shift and economic upturn for the region.
Immigrants from Bosnia, Sierra Leone, Palestine, Iraq, Lebanon and Sudan among many others have made a positive impact on the city. Eager to assimilate and dedicated to hard work, people from all over are happy to call Utica home.
Nasradin Azein is a husband to a pregnant wife (Nada Musa) and father of two small children. War and genocide in his home country of Sudan brought him and his family to the Mohawk Valley Refugee Center. Much of the film follows the adjustment Nasradin makes as he seeks a better life for his family.
“It’s a big city for Africans.” Nasradin explains as he marvels at the buildings in downtown Utica. “In my area, we don’t have tall buildings like this.”
Survival supersedes comfort. The refugees have fled certain death and are willing to start from zero in a place they have never heard of.
They must learn a new language, and how to handle modern amenities like running water, a stove and refrigerator. Chucklesome moments see Nasradin and his young son reacting to snow and experiencing strawberries for the first time.
Utica
Loch Phillipps and director of photography Adam Bedient do an excellent job of selling the beauty of the city. Drone footage captures aerial shots of the skyline, while on location includes closeups of the architecture, businesses, and community aspect of life in a historic northeast town.
I love watching a movie and seeing streets and buildings I recognize. Utica is quite photogenic. I noticed its on-screen charm with “The Christmas Letter” and would love to see more filmmakers take advantage of its presence.
Excellent Watch
“Utica: The Last Refuge” is an informative and impactful documentary. It offers a slice of life in the titular city, and the challenges and impact immigrants make in a digestible 2 hours.
Everyone should watch. You’ll take with you a better appreciation of the need for a steady flow of immigrants. A small city like Utica has benefitted immensely in its economy, culture, and arts as a result. Whether you live here or not, its an uplifting look at the region and a great start to 2026.
Click to support the Resource Center for Refugees in the Mohawk Valley.
