Review of A Syrian Love Story (2015) by Richard B — 13 Oct 2015

As Good (And Bad) As It Gets.

This is remarkable documentary that focuses on a Syrian-Palestianian couple through 5 years of the Syrian nightmare, and how their relationship is destroyed by it. It is sad, unpredictable and informative at a human level like few other documentaries.

Sean McAllister focuses his attention on the Alawite wife, a woman of no mean courage, whose commitment to Syrian democracy costs her freedom, marriage and even her children. The film opens with her arrested the year before the 'revolution', jailed for writing a scathing attack on the Assad regime. Her Palestinian husband pines for her. Then McAllister is arrested by the regime after the 'revolution' breaks out, and jails him for 5 days. When he is let out, so is she. But they can no longer stay in Syria, and are forced to de-camp to Lebanon. What happens next will amaze you, it is so brutal and disturbing.

Despite having zero love for the Syrians, nor a great deal of hope for Arab democracy (an oxymoron?), this is a devastating human story that would evoke pity from a rock. It is beautifully made and presented.

If you want to stick your head in the sand fine with me. This is top drawer documentary making, and your heart will go out to these people.

The Syrian crisis is humanised and it hurts.