For SamaFor Sama

A video message from mother Waad to her daughter Sama, who was born during the war. The film, a 5-year record of Aleppo, Syria where countless civilians were killed due to the democratic revolution and civil war, is the most universal story told through the most personal voice. The film is about the everyday life of a father who treats the wounded and a mother who captures all this on camera via her daughter Sama. The life in the film is not bound by a great revolution nor any grand cause. Rather, it simply captures life itself. Even during war, people fall in love, give birth, and seek happiness. To be with their loved ones and continue life in their homeland, they fight against state violence and cannot leave easily. The film juxtaposes public events and private memories to show that living life in Aleppo in itself is resistance. Eventually the family become refugees after having to leave from the ruins of Aleppo, but they continue their resistance through film. Since 2016, over 20 pieces of footage revealing the reality of Aleppo were created and distributed, and in 2019, revealed to the world through For Sama. (LEE Seungmin)