Watch Born in Syria

Born in Syria is a heart-wrenching documentary film that offers a glimpse into the lives of Syrian families who have been forced to flee their homes due to the ongoing civil war. Directed by Hernán Zin and released in 2016, the film highlights the struggles and hardships of refugees who are forced to leave behind everything they've ever known in search of safety and security.

The movie revolves around the lives of several refugee families who travel across the Mediterranean Sea to reach safety. The documentary is structured in a way that chronicles their journey from Syria, and the obstacles they face on this perilous journey. The film covers the stories of families with vastly different circumstances, yet all with the shared experience of fleeing war and violence.

One such refugee family featured in the movie are Amira and her children whose house in Aleppo was bombed relentlessly. She and her two daughters were forced to flee to Lebanon, leaving her husband behind. Another family consists of Halima and her four children, including an infant, who live in a crowded shelter in Turkey. Their life is characterized by constant uncertainty, as they await a decision on their asylum claim.

As the film progresses, it becomes clear that each family has a unique story to tell. They come from different backgrounds and have had different experiences of living in Syria. However, all of them share a common struggle for survival as displaced persons. They all face challenges, including the uncertainty of their future, concerns for their safety, and the need to adapt to a new way of life in the host countries.

One of the standout elements of the movie is the director's decision to let the refugees themselves tell their stories. Rather than making a traditional "talking heads" documentary, the film relies on interviews with children, women and men. In Born in Syria, individuals share their experiences and feelings, often in heartrending terms, as they recount the upheavals they have gone through in trying to find sanctuary.

The film's powerful impact is also bolstered by its imagery. It features real-life footage of boats travelling over the sea and gory images of war and destruction that have been captured by amateur and professional filmmakers. The scenes are graphic and leave the audience with a visceral understanding of the dangers refugees face and the trauma that they can experience. It underscores the importance of maintaining hope and resilience during difficult times.

Born in Syria does not shy away from showing the immense trauma the families portrayed in the film have gone through. It vividly captures the devastating effects of war, including the loss of loved ones and the destruction of their homes. However, it also depicts the immense courage and the resourcefulness of each person that is attempting to rebuild their life in the face of overwhelming adversity.

The movie is a powerful showcase of the refugee crisis happening all over the world. It humanizes the statistics, the political rhetoric, and the various stories of asylum seekers, whose lives are usually relegated to mere numbers or stereotypes on the news. It is a clarion call for empathy that encourages audiences to recognize the inherent dignity of every person affected by the refugee crisis.

In conclusion, Born in Syria is an emotionally profound documentary film that brings to light the challenges faced by refugees in their attempt to survive and rebuild their lives. Despite the difficulties and the heavy emotions portrayed, it shines a light on the resilience of refugees and the sacrifices they are willing to make for their loved ones' safety. It is a story that intimately explores the spirit of human perseverance and hope that is necessary in the face of adversity.

Born in Syria is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.7.