For Sama
Synopsis
A feature documentary telling the astonishing story of 26-year old female Syrian filmmaker, Waad al-Kateab, who filmed her life in rebel-held Aleppo through five years of the Syrian uprising.
She fell in love, got married and had a daughter all while filming the violence raging around her and in particular documenting the challenges the conflict imposed on women and children. Along with a close group of friends, she stayed in the city to fight for her dream of a free Syria, a struggle that ended in their defeat and exile.
The film weaves together her intimate, emotive footage with her struggle to come to terms with the trauma she has witnessed. It’s an outstanding story, by turns beautiful, shocking, surprising and uplifting.
Waad is a symbol for our times, the epitome of a bold, brave woman prepared to risk her life for what she believes, in a year when women are finally becoming the heroes of their own stories. Hers is an epic tale of the survival of love and courage amid the cruelty of war.
Official Selection SXSW 2019 - Documentary Feature Competition - World premiere
Official Selection Hot Docs 2019 - International Spectrum
Official Selection Cannes Film Festival 2019 - Special Screening
Academy Awards 2020 - Nomination - Best Documentary Feature
Details
- Year
- 2019
- Type of film
- Features
- Running Time
- 95 min
- Format
- Digital Video
- Director
- Waad al-Kateab, Edward Watts 1st Feature
- Producer
- Waad al-Kateab
- Executive Producer
- Nevine Mabro, George Waldrum, Siobhan Sinnerton, Ben de Pear, Raney Aronson-Rath
- Editor
- Chloe Lambourne, Simon McMahon
- Director of Photography
- Waad al-Kateab
- Music
- Nainita Desai
- Senior Producer
- Dan Edge
Genre
Production status
Complete
Please let us know if we need to make any amendments to this Film entry mailing us directly at
Last updated 13th January 2020
