Watch One Big Thing: For Sama

Americans and millions more around the world are forced to stay at home due to COVID-19, while millions of Syrians are on the move seeking refuge. The virus’ impact has yet to be determined within Syria and nearby refugees camps, but we know that the region has been hard hit, particularly in neighboring Iran and Turkey.

We don’t want to forget about the tragedy that continues to unfold in Syria. We want you to watch For Sama. It is a documentary from the perspective and experience of a Syrian woman about the raging war which has killed thousands of innocents and forced millions of others to flee their homes. Based in Aleppo, an epicenter of the conflict, the film follows a young woman named Waad al-Kateab’s and her story of love, marriage, and motherhood. She and her husband – a doctor named Hamza who works in a local hospital – must choose whether to flee their homes to protect their daughter or stay and help the community they grew up in. Finally, Waad and Hazma are forced to leave Aleppo, portraying an unfortunately common outcome for many Syrian parents who want to protect their children.

For Sama was released in 2019 and won numerous awards and nominations including Prix L’Œil d’Or for Best Documentary at Cannes 2019 and was nominated for Best Feature Documentary at the 2019 Academy Awards. For Sama is now available for free on www.pbs.org.

At We Hold These Truths, our goal is to help you stay informed AND get involved. We invite you to watch the film, encourage your friends to do the same, and start a conversation with us. Let us know in the comments section below what human rights mean to you and why character driven leadership is important.