FOR SAMA is both an intimate and epic journey into the female experience of war. A love letter from a young mother to her daughter, 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.

The film is the first feature documentary by Emmy Award-winning filmmakers Waad al-Kateab and Edward Watts and won the Award for Best Documentary in Cannes 2019 and the Audience Award at Filmfest München/Germany.

More information: http://www.filmperlen.com/forsama.html

Waad al-Kateab was born and raised in Syria. While studying at the University of Aleppo, she was trained as a civilian journalist by NGOs during the Arab Spring and reported from her home country for Channel 4 News and Orient TV. Her INSIDE ALEPPO reports were followed by millions of viewers and her work was recognized with an Emmy Award.

Edward Watts studied Modern History at Oxford University in England. He’s done most of his work for television programs such as UNREPORTED WORLD (2007–2011) and DISPATCHES (2008–2015). For films such as ESCAPE FROM ISIS (2015) and OKSIJAN (2017), he’s spent time in the world’s crisis spots. His works have been recognized with an Emmy Award.