May 14, 2007
The following is a preview clip from The Long Journey
Pocatello, ID -- "You are about to meet a young man who was born to a life surrounded by drugs and gangs. A child raised by a single parent, nine siblings, in utter chaos. A chaos that continued throughout his childhood, and delivers us a biography that you have to see to believe. How does one child with all the odds against him overcome a life filled with roadblocks, no guidance and no support structure end up on top. The result will surprise you. How to survive the streets and overcome the ultimate odds."
Those opening words lay out the story that is the life of Akbar Abdul-Ahad, who went from the crossroads at age 10 to a diploma and a successful athletic and academic career at age 23. The road Abdul-Ahad took to get from point A to point B, and all points between is the subject of his auto-documentary "A Long Journey".
The independent documentary DVD will be officially released on Tuesday, May 15 at a viewing party at the Idaho State University Bengal Café in the ISU Pond Student Union Building. The public is invited to attend, and DVD's can be purchased for $15. Funded, written, and directed by Abdul-Ahad himself, the nearly 40 minute movie pieces his life from his early years in Chicago's Darrell-Home Projects to his family's move to Minnesota, to his quest to find a college home and not only play the game he loves, but to graduate with a college diploma as well.
Chock full of personal interviews that he conducted himself, Abdul-Ahad has spent much of the past 10 years with a video camera documenting his life.
"The purpose of this documentary is that I want to give hope to the young people who are struggling, and who are going through a lot of adversity like what I have experienced in life, and sports," said Abdul-Ahad. "I want the people to understand that if there is a will there is a way, don't ever stop believing continue to dream ... this is what DREAM means to me D= Dedication, determination and Discipline, R=Respect, E=Education, A=Attitude, M=Motivation."
"When I was 13 an organization wanted to talk with the kids about choices and they interviewed me for that. When they put my interview on film I realized that I wanted more in life. This inspired me to keep recording my life and my family throughout the years."
A two-year letterwinner at Idaho State, Abdul-Ahad was one of Division I's most durable players, ranking among the top 20 players in the nation in percentage of minutes played. A media favorite for his candor during interviews, The Long Journey features plenty of highlights from all portions of Abdul-Ahad's career, along with interviews with key figures in his life.
In all, the uplifting film showcases that despite the long odds and the long hours, The Long Journey is certainly worth the effort.
To contact Akbar Abdul-Ahad, email him at akbeezy@gmail.com
