For Sama (S38E08)

War is cruel, and it applies double to civilian casualties. The documentary For Sama reminds us of this known truth through direct contact with the wounded and dying in an Aleppo hospital. Poignantly and urgently - there is no doubt about that. These images full of pain are authentic and can penetrate the mind. So far, I understand the response to Waad Al-Khateab's film. However, there is also another level of the documentary that is not evident and understandable to everyone. Western public opinion, as well as political elites, were unable to navigate the complex Syrian political situation and too often accepted naive and incompetent positions and decisions. If I had the misfortune to live in Syria, I would be aware of Asad's responsibility as an authoritarian leader for nepotism, the brutality of the secret police, and for unleashing the war through the bloody suppression of protest demonstrations. But if I had the misfortune and did not end up as an immigrant abroad, knowing the real possibilities, I would support Asad as the lesser evil in the given situation. I would certainly be more concerned about the victory of Sunni fundamentalists, who controlled Aleppo for several years and now operate in Idlib. I would know about their efforts to place military bases in residential areas and use civilians as human shields. And I would know many unpleasant things about their treatment of non-believers and opponents. The film by Waad Al-Khateab is not value-neutral and is filmed from the position of the besieged, namely the Al-Nusra Front and similar militants. There certainly are a few subliminal manipulations found in the film, which is why it only has an overall impression of 60% for me. (03/10/2021)