Watch 82 Names: Syria Please Don't Forget Us
- 2018
- 48 hr
82 Names: Syria Please Don't Forget Us is a powerful and poignant documentary that tells the stories of four Syrian activists and the sacrifices they have made in their fight for freedom and democracy. The film is directed by filmmaker and activist Zeina Zahreddine and co-produced by Humans of Syria and the Global Platform for Syrian Students.
The film takes its title from the list of 82 names of Syrian students who were abducted from a university campus in Aleppo in 2013. For the families and friends of these missing students, the film is a plea for the world to remember them and to help find out what happened to them.
The first activist we meet in the film is Hani Abbas, a Syrian journalist who has been living in exile in France since 2011. Abbas was forced to flee Syria after his house was bombed and his wife and daughter were killed. In the film, we see him visiting the site of his old house and mourning his loss. Despite the danger, he continues to report on the war from afar, using social media to document the atrocities committed by the regime.
The second activist we meet is Razan Zaitouneh, a human rights lawyer and journalist who was kidnapped in 2013 and has not been seen since. Zaitouneh worked on behalf of political prisoners and victims of torture, and was a vocal critic of both the Assad regime and extremist groups like ISIS. In the film, we see her colleagues and friends talking about her legacy and the ongoing search for her.
The third activist we meet is Wael Aleji, a former political prisoner who was tortured during his time in jail. Aleji is now living in Germany and working with other Syrian activists to build a democratic opposition to the regime. In the film, we see him speaking to crowds at rallies and meetings, urging them to continue the fight for freedom and justice.
The fourth activist we meet is Marcell Shehwaro, a writer and blogger who has also had to flee Syria. In the film, we see her visiting the Za'atari refugee camp in Jordan, where she meets with Syrian refugees who are struggling to survive. Shehwaro helps to bring the stories of these refugees to a wider audience through her writing and activism.
Throughout the film, we also hear from other Syrian activists, journalists, and doctors who have risked their lives to document the war and help their fellow Syrians. Some of these activists have been killed, jailed, or forced into exile, but their courage and perseverance continue to inspire the people of Syria.
82 Names: Syria Please Don't Forget Us is a deeply moving film that exposes the brutality of the Assad regime and the courage of those who are fighting against it. It is a reminder that the Syrian people are not just victims of a brutal war, but also heroes who are fighting for their dignity and their future. The film is an urgent call to action for the world to support the Syrian people in their struggle for freedom and justice.