Waad al-Khateab, a 26-year-old Syrian filmmaker, tells her story of survival, love and family alongside co-director Edward Watts. During the Syrian uprising in Aleppo, Waad packed in multiple years worth of milestones; falling in love, marriage, and motherhood. Through her time amidst growing violence and political tensions, she filmed her life while staying committed to her hope of freedom for Syria. While Waad's story is one of triumph over impossible odds, it is also a intimate love letter from mother to daughter, since the doc is crafted as if Waad was speaking to her child, Sama. Through her narration, Waad charts the harrowing realities of her time in Aleppo, which involved the loss of loved ones, ongoing violence, and daily fears for safety. A truly remarkable feature, the film premiered at the 2019 SXSW Film Festival.
Director Biography
Waad al-Kateab is an Syrian filmmaker and journalist. Her work documenting the ongoing crisis in Syria has earned her global recognition and honors. Edward Watts has won a number of honors for his work in film, including an Emmy award and a BAFTA nomination.
Press
"Through her eyewitness account, For Sama reveals some of the harrowing atrocities that took place in Aleppo and is Al Kateab’s personal attempt to explain to her daughter why they chose to stay." - Royal Television Society
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