See Alicia Keys’ Moving Tribute to Refugee Crisis in ‘Let Me In’ Film

In honor of World Refugee Day, Alicia Keys and her We Are Here Movement created a short film titled Let Me In. The film features Keys’ new single “Hallelujah” as its centerpiece. Keys encourages fans to visit her We Are Here site and sign the petition to “stand as one with people forced to flee conflict and disaster.”

“I was stunned when I learned that there are more refugees living in the world today than at any other point in history, and half of them are children,” Keys said in a statement. “Creating this film really allowed us to imagine, what if we were the refugees? What if we were the ones torn from the arms of our families and loved ones? How would it feel if this were happening to us?”

The short film, directed by Jonathan Olinger, forces American viewers to confront a situation where they are suddenly refugees escaping persecution or an unjust government. In the video, a young girl’s life is abruptly ripped apart when she and her family are thrust into a situation similar to the ones refugees face every day.

“The intention behind Let Me In is to bring the struggles of refugees and displaced people into a relatable context,” Olinger said. “I hope the film leaves people asking the simple question: What if it was us? And that it ultimately blurs the lines between ‘us’ and ‘them’ — as we are all human.”

“Hallelujah” is the latest song off Keys’ upcoming as-yet-untitled LP, following “In Common.”