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One in a Million

Play trailer One in a Million 1h 42m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 20 Reviews Popcornmeter 0 Verified Ratings
Filmed over ten years, ONE IN A MILLION follows Israa from childhood to adulthood on an extraordinary journey from Syria to Germany -- and back again. We first meet her at age 11 as she and her family are preparing to cross the Aegean Sea, risking everything in search of safety and a better life in Europe. What unfolds is a deeply personal chronicle of war, exile and heartbreak, as Israa grows up navigating adolescence, identity and belonging far from the home she was forced to leave. As Israa settles into life in Germany, new freedoms collide with the stabilizing pull of Syrian traditions, testing bonds and reshaping her sense of self. Co-directed by Itab Azzam and Jack MacInnes, the film bears witness to the remarkable trust between filmmakers and family, following Israa and her loved ones across borders, cultures and shifting circumstances. An intimate and nuanced coming-of-age story, ONE IN A MILLION illuminates the complexities of the refugee experience while asking a universal question: what does it truly mean to call a place home?

Cast & Crew

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Itab Azzam

Director

Jack MacInnes

Director

Raney Aronson-Rath

Producer

Will Anderson

Producer

James Bluemel

Producer

Andrew Palmer

Producer

Critics Reviews

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Namrata Joshi The New Indian Express May 14
One in a Million is a no-holds-barred celebration of human resilience and adaptability, of a girl and an entire community, amid the insurmountable bleakness of the times. Go to Full Review Sam Adams Slate Feb 2
Though Isra’a and Tarek’s relationship can be painful to witness, the movie’s complicated and unpredictable arc is a poignant reminder that life always has more in store. Go to Full Review Peter Howell Toronto Star Feb 2
The global refugee crisis meets documentary realism with devastating force in this decade-long chronicle of Syrian exile Israa. Go to Full Review Joshua Mbonu InSession Film May 5
B+
What makes the core of One In a Million so powerful is that directors Itab Azzam and Jack Macinnes shift the focus of the film to the aftermath of the destruction, making the introspection on this family and Israa much more insightful Go to Full Review Rachel Wagner Rachel's Reviews (YouTube) Feb 12
An incredible documentary that follows a girl for 10 years. Very good and impressive. Go to Full Review Stephen Saito Moveable Fest Feb 11
"One in a Million" is exceptionally relatable separated from any international context at all in presenting their three main subjects as deeply complicated people whose lives are made only more so by one another as they adjust to a new normal. Go to Full Review Read all reviews
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One in a Million

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Movie Info

Synopsis Filmed over ten years, ONE IN A MILLION follows Israa from childhood to adulthood on an extraordinary journey from Syria to Germany -- and back again. We first meet her at age 11 as she and her family are preparing to cross the Aegean Sea, risking everything in search of safety and a better life in Europe. What unfolds is a deeply personal chronicle of war, exile and heartbreak, as Israa grows up navigating adolescence, identity and belonging far from the home she was forced to leave. As Israa settles into life in Germany, new freedoms collide with the stabilizing pull of Syrian traditions, testing bonds and reshaping her sense of self. Co-directed by Itab Azzam and Jack MacInnes, the film bears witness to the remarkable trust between filmmakers and family, following Israa and her loved ones across borders, cultures and shifting circumstances. An intimate and nuanced coming-of-age story, ONE IN A MILLION illuminates the complexities of the refugee experience while asking a universal question: what does it truly mean to call a place home?
Director
Itab Azzam, Jack MacInnes
Producer
Raney Aronson-Rath, Will Anderson, James Bluemel, Andrew Palmer
Distributor
Frontline Features
Production Co
PBS Distribution, Impact Partners, BBC Storyville, KEO FIlms, Frontline Features
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
Arabic
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 21, 2026, Limited
Runtime
1h 42m
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