A NEW documentary explores the lives of people who left their homeland to settle in Bolton.

Souls Migrated: A Story of Loss and Hope has been produced by Bolton-based Women in Neighbourhoods, which received a £10,000 Heritage Lottery Fund to share the experiences of those who moved from different parts of the world to Bolton.

The short documentary was shown as part of Bolton Film Festival at The Light Cinema in Market Place.

Gulnaz Brennan, founder of Women in Neighbourhoods said: “The project delves in the lives of people living in Bolton from different parts of the world.

“Women in Neighbourhoods worked with different groups of migrants from Middle east, India, Pakistan, Africa, East Europe.

“People shared their memories of home and their culture. There were heartbreaking stories of loss but also of a peaceful and happy future.

“The people we interviewed spoke about what they have left behind and what their homes are for the future.”

Souls Migrated featured residents from various cultures and backgrounds, and as well as telling their stories, the project helped young people to develop their media and communication skills. Filming took place at historical Bolton landmarks as well as in homes.

Mrs Brennan said: “The project involved volunteers from the community and University of Bolton, who learnt the art of film making and related skills.

“Some enhanced their existing skills, others leant new one.

“Filming was down at various locations like House of Raja, New Madina Mosque, Swami Narayan Temple, Queens Park, Victoria Square, Bolton Central Library, Smithills Halls, Octagon Theatre to name a few.”

There are more than 70 languages spoken in Bolton, said Ms Brennan, and the short film was a way of recording their memories and sharing their experiences as well as changing “people’s perceptions and stereotypes and help make people more understanding and tolerant of other peoples’ beliefs, cultures and traditions”.

The film was shot in April.

Scenes in the film include a group of men of Gujarati origin, who all arrived in the UK in the 1960s and 70s. They recall their home country through poetry in a shot near the lake in Queens Park.

A group of women of South Asian origin talk about their lives at the Octagon Theatre and in the archway in Le Mans Crescent.

Other scenes include a musical entertainment on the steps of the town hall and at Bolton Council of Mosques women from the Middle East prepared a feast sharing their memories of home over food and mint tea.

The film is also designed to change, say project co-ordinators, “people’s perceptions and stereotypes and help make people more understanding and tolerant of other peoples’ beliefs, cultures and traditions”.

It aims to provide a reminder that the vast majority of those who have moved to Bolton have become valuable members of society and that some came to the town as a consequence of war and horrific events for which, say project co-ordinators ‘ for which most of us simply have no personal frame of reference’.

Mrs Brennan said: “People were very emotional after seeing the film, they want a part two and to hear more stories.

“I want people to open their minds especially in this current climate and people need to see that migration is not easy it involves lost – this is a story of lost and hope about what people, who have come from all over the world, what they have lost, missed and are looking forward to.”

One person who moved to Bolton says: “Immigration is very painful , I miss my family, my friends and my country. For me the purpose of life is a world without war.

“I have big dreams and ambitions for a successful future.”

The film also tells the story of the founding of the Gujarati Writers Guild, which was set up in the 1970s by a group of people who had moved from the area after missing speaking their mother tongue.

People shared their memories of festivals and traditions they enjoyed in their motherland and their fears of starting over in a new country, where the languages and culture was different.

The film was shown at Bolton College this week where said Mrs Brennan more positive feedback was received.

To watch the 15 minute film visit The Bolton News website.