Who loves the sun

In northern Syria, soon after the uprisings against the Assad regime turned into a civil war, over half of the population had to flee their homes, adapt and survive regardless of which armed groups were in charge. Transportation, heating and cooking are all essential uses of fuel in these harsh conditions. As the official oil industry crumbled, makeshift local refineries sprouted out of necessity. Since crude oil could still be pumped up and exported, it soon makeshift refining became a viable source of income. Mahmood is a prominent figure in these operations, navigating harsh working conditions and complex local dynamics.

I was often asked if going to film in Siria had any negative emotional effects on me. The opposite is true; these places are full of stories of hope. These locals have gone through hardships and survived, building a strong sense of community by helping each other. This shows us how life goes on in spite of great loss, and reinforces the existence of those human instincts that are not often seen outside of very difficult situations, but that help us survive crises.

PRODUCTION 1: Edessa production - Zaynê Akyol, Arshia Shakiba
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WORLD SALES: Travelling, Pierre Brouillette-Hamelin
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