In late September of 1922, the Turkish army laid siege to the port city of Smyrna (now Izmir, Turkey). Fires raged, burning out this once beautiful city, and towers of black smoke could be seen from over 60 miles away.
Thousands of native Greeks, Armenians and Jews were jammed on the docks, trapped by the water. Many drowned trying to swim out to ships anchored in the harbor. Everyday hundreds were raped, deported to slave camps, mutilated or killed.
A lone American citizen -- a YMCA worker who possessed no government authority -- masterminded an incredible humanitarian exodus which saved over 300,000 lives from certain death. He thereafter negotiated for the rescue of over a million more Greeks and Armenians from Turkey.
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Our non-fiction film, Waking the Lion, will attempt to give voice to those whose stories have been muffled by historical authorities, and chronicle this stunning act of rescue through the eyes of Asa Jennings: a diminutive, humble man motivated purely by his own spiritual vision. This is a story that is one of the most incredible single-handed rescues of all time -- and yet is virtually unknown. However, the complicated political and economic historical context that led to this tragedy is as relevant today as the current world situation in the Middle East.
We are currently seeking any survivors of the Kemalist siege of Smyrna (or relatives who can recall in detail stories that have been passed on to them) as potential interviewees. If you would like to share your story please contact us at ajproject@excite.com. We are especially interested in anyone who was rescued by boat in the last week of September 1922. Time is of the essence, as a number of survivors are very old. In addition to providing an educational resource through our website, we will coordinate with grassroots organizations to build a greater public awareness of the enormity and tragedy of these events. Our production company has a pending 501(c)3 non-profit partnership status. Please contact us for further information.
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