Waad al-Kateab’s “love letter” (For Sama) to her daughter is a brilliantly crafted film and an incredibly intimate, eye-opening look at the impact of war on people who are forced to live through such horrors.
Waad’s documentation parallels two events, a city in the midst of siege and the birth of her daughter, Sama. What is most special about this documentary is that is told not just from the perspective of a woman, but the perspective of a new mother who must protect the child she has brought into a world of conflict and death.
For Sama is a personal story, set against a violent political background. At its very core, it is the story of a mother and a daughter. It’s not a callout to the world, simply a gift, or an account, from Waad to Sama.
For Sama shows the day to day lives of people experiencing the siege first hand. People hardly react to the cacophony of bombs around them, and wade through hallways filled with opaque smoke to head to safety. It doesn’t shy away from the unfiltered reality either, the moments that hit me the hardest were the shots of bodies added to mass graves or the dead bodies of children being cradled by their siblings and parents. The terror is something only Waad’s brilliant footage can truly convey and is hard to put into words.
Her narration is touching, beautifully supporting the perspective of the footage. The story isn’t linear, in fact it jumps from moment to moment, adding perspective and highlighting what has changed and what has stayed the same.
It is a truly dynamic documentary that tells a story and highlights a journey. It doesn’t simply just explain the world and the situation, it invites the viewer to live it. Waad invites us into her life, and in doing so shows what is truly important.
In many ways, this documentary is about Sama, which is what makes it so poignant. Sama represents hope. Hope for a new generation, hope for survival. For Sama beautifully encapsulates both the fear, but simultaneously, the hope. I believe this is one of the most important documentaries of the year, a work of art in documentary filmmaking.
Amelia (17)
For Sama
Now in Cinemas