Pour Sama

Terrifying, Devastating and, Surprisingly, outstanding documentation about the horrific Siege of Aleppo in 2016.

This film looks at the war in Syria through an entirely new lens. Its footage and narrative is chilling and thought-provoking. I'm not surprised at all that the film won both "Best Documentary" and the "Audience Award - Best Documentary" at the 2019 SXSW Film Festival. It deserves those accolades and more.

Okay first a moan - somehow at the time of writing some eight people have scored this 3 or less - while we are entitled to out own views and tastes it is pretty staggering that anyone couldn't see the brilliance and humanity of this most human of documentaries. I challenge anyone not to watch this film and be deeply moved - oh and if you aren't my guess is you need to check your empathy and compassion out! This is possibly the most searingly human film I have ever witnessed and I do not say that lightly. It should be obligatory watching for our schools however horrific it is as it teaches more about the world, humanity, suffering, resilience, hope and life than a thousand lessons. It would also help to get a society that sees their own lives and the lives of others in a much more balanced and open way. There are moments in this film that are among the hardest I have ever witnessed, it moved my partner to tears and left me struggling to watch BUT ultimately it is nothing short of magnificent. Right now in my head not just one of the best documentaries ever but one of the best films. Thank you to all involved in this, particularly the wonderful Waad Al-Khateab, but also her friends, family and all of the Syrians who suffered while shamefully the world looked the other way.

For Sama received a standing ovation at its world premiere at Austin's SXSW Film Festival. It also received the Grand Jury Prize for Documentary Feature. It is a remarkable film. Each of us tries to go through his/her daily life and pretend there is no place in the world where human beings are being routinely slaughtered as occurred in Aleppo. Waad Al-Khateab is a hero. She and her husband - a doctor - stayed in Aleppo through the worst of the siege. He saved lives and she documented the horrors for the world to see. For Sama presents some of the most unflinching war coverage that I have seen. The beauty of the film is that she presents it as almost a love letter to her infant daughter Sama who was born in Aleppo in the months leading up to the siege. She is trying to tell her story and the story of her city (one of the oldest continuously populated cities on the planet). The contrast between the horror of parents try to care and protect an infant while simultaneously trying to save lives and document the horror is breathtaking and heart-wrenching. It is as if you set a love story amidst the flames of hell. This is a story that needs to be widely viewed and it will be since it has been picked up by PBS and will air on Frontline in the coming months. Everyone who loves children and hates war (and I really hope that is everyone) should see this film.

One of the best films I have ever seen. It has the story , plot , background music and I am sure that you will cry. Personally I cried almost 15 times because I am from Aleppo and I know the characters personally. If you want to get an idea about Syria/ Aleppo, the film is highly recommended.