Students’ documentary wins C-SPAN prize
WESTON — Two Weston High School students have taken their videography skills to the next level, releasing an exclusive documentary about a Weston resident who was taken hostage in Iran, and winning a CSPAN award for their work.
Nate Colman and Jonah Rothlein are sophomores at Weston High School who recently won the grand prize in CSPAN’s annual StudentCam competition, for their documentary called “Innocents Held Hostage: Navigating Past and Future Conflicts with Iran.”
The documentary follows Morad Tahbaz, an Iranian hostage who was held in Iran for six years, and focuses on “how the U.S. needs to look forward to our relations with Iran while considering past conflicts and history to ensure a safer future with less hostagetaking,” Colman said.
That idea fit C-SPAN’s competition theme, “Looking Forward while Considering the Past.” On top of the $5,000 prize, the students’ documentary will debut on C-SPAN on April 21 at 6:50 a.m. and repeat throughout the day.
Colman lives down the street from the Tahbaz family and has been following the story over years.
Tahbaz is a nature conservationist who was in Iran in 2018 with his conservation group, Persian Wildlife Heritage Foundation. While trying to get back to the U.S., Tahbaz was taken hostage and sent to the Evin Prison where he was brutally mistreated for six years, Colman said.
He was used as a negotiating pawn, and wouldn’t be released until Iran could secure a deal with the U.S., Colman said. The Tahbaz family worked with politicians and the government daily, until President Joe Biden’s administration was finally able to get him released in September.
“I originally reached out to the family while Morad was still imprisoned, but they were hesitant, as we were all unsure of what may happen,” Colman said. “It wasn’t until Morad was released in September that I knew I should reach out once again, this time wanting to focus on the incredible journey Morad, his family, and the politicians went through to ensure the release.”
Colman said he was passionate about telling Tahbaz’s story and bringing the issue to light.
After the duo worked on multiple films together since middle school and took advanced videography together in high school, they became interested in starting the documentary.
Colman and Rothlein’s videography teacher, Geoffrey Brencher, encouraged the duo to ender the competition, believing they had a chance to win. Colman’s brother also submitted films to the contest in previous years.
Brencher said he is proud of his students.
“I witnessed their hard work and determination firsthand on a daily basis while they were working to make this documentary exceptional,” he said. “Seeing them achieve such a prestigious honor is the epitome of satisfaction as a teacher.”
Brencher said he aims to inspire students to strive for greatness and assist them on their journey.
“Witnessing them reach their goal is a moment of immense pride,” Brencher said.
In October, Colman and Rothlein attended a Greenwich meeting in which U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, D-Connecticut, asked questions from his constituents. The students asked a question about Tahbaz, which became the first footage for the documentary.
They approached Himes about the project, and he agreed to be part of it. They interviewed him in November, then securing a interview with U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut.
In December, Tahbaz agreed to be interviewed. The duo then made a trip to D.C. in mid-December to interview New York Times White House correspondent Michael Shear. Filming wrapped after that, and the editing process took about two months, Colman said.
This documentary is the only interview that exists with Tahbaz since his release, as he was reluctant to be interviewed by some media companies, Colman said.
“Morad’s story is truly inspiring and proves the strength of the human spirit,” Colman said.
Colman and Rothlein are just getting started with their film careers. This spring, they will begin filming a psychological thriller called “Elegy for a Dove.”
“Innocents Held Hostage” is available to stream on YouTube.