Watch Salam Neighbor

Salam Neighbor is a 2015 documentary film that takes a thought-provoking look at the lives of refugees living inside the Za'atari refugee camp in Jordan near the Syrian border. The film was directed by Chris Temple and Zach Ingrasci, who also starred in the movie. In Salam Neighbor, the directors and their team asked one simple question: "What would it be like to live in a refugee camp?" To find out, they went to live in Za'atari, one of the world's largest refugee camps, for a month.

The movie follows the journey of the two directors, who, with the help of translator Yara Ibrahim, attempt to understand the daily lives of the Syrian refugees living in the cramped, austere conditions of the camp. They meet families and individuals who share their stories of loss, hardship and hope.

The film sensitively captures the struggles of the refugees and highlights their plight, showcasing the resilience and strength of the human spirit even in the direst of circumstances. Through their experiences, the directors provide an opportunity for the viewer to gain a better understanding of the lives of refugees and the hardships they endure on a daily basis.

What sets Salam Neighbor apart from other documentaries about refugees is the way it approaches the subject matter. Instead of the usual format of news reports that tend to create a sense of pity for the refugees, Salam Neighbor focuses on the refugees' stories from their perspective, capturing their struggles and the hope they have for the future.

The documentary tackles broader themes such as the lack of education, the struggles to access healthcare and other basic needs, and the consequences of warfare. Through the interviews and stories of individuals like Abu Ali, Um Ali, and Omar, viewers can notice the raw emotions and humanity in people who have gone through traumatic events and sought refuge in another country.

Many scenes in the documentary are heart-wrenching, such as the moment a young girl expresses the fear and anxiety she feels every time she hears planes passing overhead, and the sorrowful tale of a father who expresses his hopes and desire to go home with his family.

Overall, Salam Neighbor is a captivating documentary that puts a human face on one of the most pressing global crises of our time. It brings an insightful perspective on the issues surrounding refugees and their daily struggles, not only for survival but for dignity and respect. The movie is an emotional journey with a powerful message that raises awareness on the conditions of refugees in the camps and the need for a significant global effort to create solutions to help them rebuild their lives and integrate them back into society.

In conclusion, Salam Neighbor is a deeply humane and emotional movie that succeeds in illuminating the refugee crisis and provides a strong foundation for starting new conversations about the importance of welcoming refugees into the world's communities. With light-hearted humor, genuine connections, and a clear passion for the subject matter, the directors deliver an unmissable cinematic experience that deserves to be watched and shared by anyone interested in learning about the refugee crisis from a different perspective.

Salam Neighbor is a 2015 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 15 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4.