For Sama

For Sama is both an intimate and epic journey into the female experience of war. In the form of a love letter from a young mother to her daughter, Sama, the film tells the story of Waad al-Kateab’s life through five years of the uprising in Aleppo, Syria as she falls in love, gets married and gives birth to Sama, all while cataclysmic conflict rises around her.

Her camera captures incredible stories of loss, laughter and survival as Waad wrestles with an impossible choice – whether or not to flee the city to protect her daughter’s life, when leaving means abandoning the struggle for freedom for which she has already sacrificed so much.

Critic Reviews:

• " This very intimate and bold documentary from Waad-al-Kateab gives us a unique insight into the female experience of war. " – Bianca Garner

• " A call for help to the international community, and an accusing finger. " – Janire Zurbano

• " We see the way children and parents respond to the pervasive fear, not wanting to be parted even if it is a matter of simple survival. " – John McDonald