Insyriated is an Arabic foreign language film that follows the
story of a family living in Damascus.
The film centers on the family as war rages around them, leaving them stuck in their apartment as paramilitary foot soldiers and snipers ravage their neighborhood.
The film centers on the family as war rages around them, leaving them stuck in their apartment as paramilitary foot soldiers and snipers ravage their neighborhood.
Insyriated quite rightly touches on sensitive topics relating
to conflict in Syria, how it directly affects people living there and shedding
light on just how many different warring parties there are in the region.
With that being said, Insyriated is a chillingly real
film. It illustrates just how frantic things are in warring cities. Depicting how
dangerous and bleak daily life can be for people living in Syria.
The film also stars Hiam Abbass,
who also held the leading role in Lemon Tree.
Synopsis
Insyriated starts off by introducing us to a family living in
Damascus (the capital city of Syria). The Yazan family appear to be like any
other family. With two parents, grandfather, a son with a fiancée and a few
younger children.
However, as normal as the family is, life outside of their apartment is anything but normal.
However, as normal as the family is, life outside of their apartment is anything but normal.
Syria is in the middle of an international crisis. War is
raging everywhere around them and death surrounds them.
At this point in time, Damascus is receiving heavy shelling, paramilitary forces are shooting in the streets and people risk their lives by stepping outside of their homes. With such dire circumstances, your safety isn’t guaranteed. For everything can change in a moment.
At this point in time, Damascus is receiving heavy shelling, paramilitary forces are shooting in the streets and people risk their lives by stepping outside of their homes. With such dire circumstances, your safety isn’t guaranteed. For everything can change in a moment.
Insyriated follows the Yazan family as such a moment takes
place. Leaving the family trapped inside their own house as their situation
worsens by the hour.
I’ve left this synopsis fairly short as I believe going any
further may spoil things.
Just keep in mind that films set on the topic of war and strife tend to get very emotional and nerve-wracking.
Insyriated definitely fits that brief as things get real, real fast.
Just keep in mind that films set on the topic of war and strife tend to get very emotional and nerve-wracking.
Insyriated definitely fits that brief as things get real, real fast.
Important Themes
Insyriated speaks to issues about life in Syria. The Syrian
region is still one of the most dangerous places in the world.
Civil war has torn the country to pieces, leaving millions stateless and many without homes. Which has led to the world’s largest refugee crisis taking form. Where millions of people have fled their homes in the hopes of getting to an over-populated and resource stricken refugee camp.
Civil war has torn the country to pieces, leaving millions stateless and many without homes. Which has led to the world’s largest refugee crisis taking form. Where millions of people have fled their homes in the hopes of getting to an over-populated and resource stricken refugee camp.
Here in the West, the refugee crisis has become a big talking
issue. As governments have debated whether to bring in or refuse refugees, creating a very contested moral issue.
However, it is very important to note that with all of this discussion we are having here, 95% of all refugees are still being taken in by countries surrounding Syria; like Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq.
However, it is very important to note that with all of this discussion we are having here, 95% of all refugees are still being taken in by countries surrounding Syria; like Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq.
For a short but comprehensive breakdown on the Syrian
refugee crisis, you can watch this youtube video created by Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell (who regularly make great,
detailed and informative content).
The Syrian Civil War is still ongoing. Having started in
2011 after the Arab Spring, the Al-Assad government refused to back down from
power and proceeded to go to war against their people. Ever since, chaos has
reigned over the region as many different warring factions joined the fight for
their own causes. Many of these infiltrators include terrorist groups aligned with
Al-Qaeda and Daesh (ISIS).
Furthermore, due to the importance of ethnic and geo-religious
tribes, more and more groups of fighters are pledging their allegiances to
different groups. Because of all this complication, the region has been under
attack by the government, military, terrorist groups, differing tribal warring
factions, paramilitary forces and other countries.
Insyriated touches on this topic well by depicting how
uncertain things are around the family and how they do not trust any one
outside of their tight knit circle.
Conclusion
Altogether, Insyriated is a spectacular,
riveting and very real film. It tells
a stressful and heart wrenching story of survival through a family trapped
within the confines of their own home.
The Syrian region constantly sees violence by the hands of
the government, military, terrorist organizations and outside actors.
With all of that going on, it is paramount to remember that there are real people stuck in the middle of all of this. That these people are left in the middle of an incredibly dangerous situation, largely without any help. That they are suffering every day, not knowing where there next meal is or whom they can trust.
With all of that going on, it is paramount to remember that there are real people stuck in the middle of all of this. That these people are left in the middle of an incredibly dangerous situation, largely without any help. That they are suffering every day, not knowing where there next meal is or whom they can trust.
As time has gone on, there has been less and less reporting
on the people of Syria by the media. As if most people have just swept it under
the carpet and have shifted their attention to the next newsworthy topic.
Nevertheless, films like Insyriated do a great job of bringing attention important issues to the general public.
Nevertheless, films like Insyriated do a great job of bringing attention important issues to the general public.
Be sure to see Insyriated. It tells a current and
emotional story of survival in an uncertain part of the world. It is worth
every minute of your time, trust me.
