Watch Syria: Witnesses for the Prosecution

Syria: Witnesses for the Prosecution is a powerful, thought-provoking documentary that presents the testimony of survivors, first responders, and doctors from Syria's ongoing war. Directed and produced by Maziar Bahari, an Iranian journalist and filmmaker, and commissioned by The New Yorker, the film offers a nuanced and humanizing perspective of the Syrian conflict that has been ongoing for over a decade.

The film begins with a brief overview of the events that led to the uprising in Syria in 2011, and the subsequent civil war that has devastated the country. It then introduces us to the characters who will guide us through the story: survivors of the war who have fled to safety in Turkey, and doctors and first responders who have been working on the ground in Syria since the beginning of the conflict. Through their personal stories and testimonies, we get a glimpse into the atrocities committed by both sides of the conflict, and the devastating toll it has taken on ordinary Syrians.

The first half of the film focuses on the use of chemical weapons in Syria, and the efforts of a team of investigators from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to gather evidence and bring those responsible to justice. We follow these investigators as they conduct interviews, analyze samples, and visit sites where chemical weapons were used. Through their efforts, we learn about the horrors of chemical warfare, and the challenges of investigating such crimes in a war zone.

The second half of the film offers a more personal and intimate look at the war in Syria, as we hear from survivors who have escaped to Turkey. These survivors share their stories of how they were forced to flee their homes, faced unimaginable violence and brutality, and lost loved ones to the war. Their testimonies are heartbreaking and powerful, and serve as a reminder of the human cost of war.

Throughout the film, Bahari uses a combination of interviews, footage from Syria, and powerful visuals to tell the story of the war. One particularly effective technique is the use of animated maps to show the progression of the conflict over time. These maps help to contextualize the testimonies of the survivors and give viewers a better understanding of the geography of the conflict.

One of the most significant themes of the film is the importance of bearing witness. By allowing the survivors of the war to tell their stories, Bahari is giving them a voice and a platform to share their experiences with the world. In doing so, he is also ensuring that their stories are not forgotten, and that the atrocities committed in Syria are not ignored or dismissed.

The film also raises important questions about accountability and justice. Through the testimony of the survivors and the investigators from the OPCW, we see the difficulty of bringing those responsible for war crimes to justice in a conflict as complex and volatile as Syria's. Yet, despite these challenges, the film emphasizes the importance of taking action to hold those responsible accountable for their actions.

Overall, Syria: Witnesses for the Prosecution is a powerful and important documentary that offers a unique and humanizing perspective on the conflict in Syria. Through the testimonies of survivors and first responders, the film reminds us of the human cost of war and highlights the importance of bearing witness and seeking justice. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in the ongoing conflict in Syria and the challenges of investigating and prosecuting war crimes.

Syria: Witnesses for the Prosecution is a 2016 documentary with a runtime of 52 minutes.