For Sama (2019) is an award winning documentary looking at the Syrian revolution against the regime (2011-2024). It was directed by journalist Waad Al-Kateab who shot raw unadulterated footage of the conflict (2012-2016) as it unfolded while her husband cared for the wounded. Waad gave birth to her Daughter Sama during the revolution, and decided to construct a film and narrative over the footage to explain the chooses they made to fight injustice and keep her safe. Consequently, the narration is directed to her not to us, and the result is a deeply powerful and personal view of her love as a mother:
‘You’re the most beautiful thing in our lives, but what a life I’ve brought you into. Will you ever forgive me?’.
Waad’s raw unadulterated footage of the conflict is absolutely brilliant. She took the decision to film everything and not omit any details no matter how bad, and this gives a really authentic and shocking insight of what life was like in Aleppo. In one scene, she even shows a near miscarriage live on film. It is cut or hidden and there is nowhere for the audience to hide. Despite the rawness, the cinematography is excellent. Waad moves the camera through hospital cooriders and doorways with precision and poignancy, almost guiding us through to other worlds. Parallels to even be made to Shoah (1985), going deeper into buildings and the darkness they hold.
As a documentary, For Sama manages to be educational, emotional poignant, and unapologetically dark. The narration provides pace and structure, and the gentle violin soundtrack keeps constant tension. Nothing is withheld, and we get full access to life in Aleppo and the mind of Waad as she grapples with decisions she took to protect her daughter. This is an authentic film which is beautiful and crushing in equal measure, and deserves all the praise it has received. 5/5
For Sama (2019) is an award winning documentary looking at the Syrian revolution against the regime (2011-2024). It was directed by journalist Waad Al-Kateab who shot raw unadulterated footage of the conflict (2012-2016) as it unfolded while her husband cared for the wounded. Waad gave birth to her Daughter Sama during the revolution, and decided to construct a film and narrative over the footage to explain the chooses they made to fight injustice and keep her safe. Consequently, the narration is directed to her not to us, and the result is a deeply powerful and personal view of her love as a mother:
‘You’re the most beautiful thing in our lives, but what a life I’ve brought you into. Will you ever forgive me?’.
Waad’s raw unadulterated footage of the conflict is absolutely brilliant. She took the decision to film everything and not omit any details no matter how bad, and this gives a really authentic and shocking insight of what life was like in Aleppo. In one scene, she even shows a near miscarriage live on film. It is cut or hidden and there is nowhere for the audience to hide. Despite the rawness, the cinematography is excellent. Waad moves the camera through hospital cooriders and doorways with precision and poignancy, almost guiding us through to other worlds. Parallels to even be made to Shoah (1985), going deeper into buildings and the darkness they hold.
As a documentary, For Sama manages to be educational, emotional poignant, and unapologetically dark. The narration provides pace and structure, and the gentle violin soundtrack keeps constant tension. Nothing is withheld, and we get full access to life in Aleppo and the mind of Waad as she grapples with decisions she took to protect her daughter. This is an authentic film which is beautiful and crushing in equal measure, and deserves all the praise it has received. 5/5
