disturbing scenes, images of real dead bodies
2019 ( UK | Syria ) ( Documentary, War )
DIRECTORS: Waad Al-Kateab, Edward Watts
STARRING: Waad Al-Kateab, Hamza Al-Khateab, Sama Al-Khateab
For Sama is an intimate and epic journey into the female experience of war. A love letter from a young mother to her daughter, the film tells the story of Waad al-Kateab’s life through five years of the uprising in Aleppo, Syria as she falls in love, gets married and gives birth to Sama, all while cataclysmic conflict rises around her. Her camera captures incredible stories of loss, laughter and survival as Waad wrestles with an impossible choice – whether or not to flee the city to protect her daughter’s life, when leaving means abandoning the struggle for freedom for which she has already sacrificed so much.
‘For Sama’ earned a standing ovation at the Cannes Film festival and it went on to win best documentary. For Sama powerfully distils the difficult choices faced by citizens of war-torn regions.
(1hr 36min)