While the documentary is great at showing the beginnings of the Syrian civil war, the disturbing and horrific consequences of the war, and the valiant efforts of her husband and the other hospital workers, one can't help but feel conflicted about the filmmaker's actions. At one point in the film, she and her husband visit a family member in Turkey (i.e., a safe country) and still decide to sneak back into Aleppo with their child, even though they know it's incredibly dangerous to try and get back in. It's difficult (for me, at least) to understand why she does not simply stay away from Aleppo, as it's obviously safer for her and her child.
As one of the people in the documentary says: "children have nothing to do with this war." Yet, Waad Al-Kaeb deliberately takes her baby back into Aleppo, knowing the dangers of the place. Despite being a great documentary, showing how people deal with the horrendous reality imposed on them, the film still left a bitter taste in my mouth, knowing that Sama did not have to go through all of this.
As one of the people in the documentary says: "children have nothing to do with this war." Yet, Waad Al-Kaeb deliberately takes her baby back into Aleppo, knowing the dangers of the place. Despite being a great documentary, showing how people deal with the horrendous reality imposed on them, the film still left a bitter taste in my mouth, knowing that Sama did not have to go through all of this.