"We have to also understand that if taking part in a revolution was dangerous, taking a camera with you was extremely dangerous. There were always snipers on the roofs, and the first ones they would take out were the ones with cameras." Andreas Dalsgaard (Director)
The most agonizing story of our time is told through the daily lives of brave and beautiful Syrian youths.
It's the Arab Spring and the euphoria of potential freedom is in the air. Damascus radio DJ Obaidah Zytoon and her friends take to the streets, cameras in hand. Obadiah introduces us to her friends; the poet Hisham and his lover Lulu, who studies law; rebellious drummer Rabea; young activist Amal; and Houssam, an architecture student with a beautiful smile and gentle eyes. They talk about art and relationships as much as politics. We hang out with them on the beach, at home washing their dog; or just together being in love. At other times, we're running around with them at demonstrations, or traveling to other cities to find out what's really happening. Across several years of footage, we watch as their vision of a better future is painfully tested by violence, imprisonment and death. This is the most agonizing story of our time, told through the lives of these bold and beautiful Syrian youngsters. Some faces are blurred for safety reasons, and some just cloud over with time and pain.
2016 VENICE, TORONTO, LONDON
Afghan Muscles (2007), Danish director Andreas Dalsgaard's documentary debut, was a festival hit, winning Best Documentary at AFI Los Angeles. Dalsgaard also participated in later festivals with the documentaries Cities on Speed — Bogotá Change (2009), Traveling with Mr. T. (2012), The Human Scale (2012), Life is Sacred (2014, !f 2015). Born in Zabadani, Syria, Obaidah Zytoon studied English Literature at the University of Damascus. With her first film The War Show (2016), she introduces her perspective on Arab Spring to the audience.
