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The first iteration of this project was hosted at 447 Minna in San Francisco.
While waiting for the game to start, players watched interviews with advocates addressing Afghan refugees' challenges post-2021 US/NATO withdrawal. Pictured on screen: Arash Azizzada, co-founder of Afghans for a Better Tomorrow.
A view of the escape room with the doors open—though players experienced it with the doors and blinds shut.
Each player assumed the role of a family member fleeing the fictional country of "Watan," receiving a unique passport with their age, gender, and profession.
Inside, a looping news reel highlighted the country's turmoil. Players had one hour to secure a way out (visa, plane ticket, etc.) for every family member.
When the timer was up, families exited through a different door to face their judgment.
A border control agent stamped their passports, determining whether they were accepted into the “United Atlantic Provinces” or not.
Opening night featured a panel discussion, Compassionate Exclusion: Afghan Stories of Seeking Refuge in America, with experts discussing U.S. foreign policy’s impact on asylum seekers. Pictured (R-L): Mejgan Massoumi, Laila Ayub, Nasiruddin Nezami, and Halima Kazem.
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