Salam Neighbor

Salam Neighbor is an awe-inspiring, award-winning documentary by film directors Zach Ingrasci and Chris Temple, featuring appearances by actor Yara Ibrahim. The movie was released in 2015 and stands as a powerful lens into the world of refugee camps, human resilience, and the natural human instinct for survival, even in the face of unparalleled hardship.

Salam Neighbor follows Zach and Chris as they plunge into the heart of the world’s most pressing humanitarian crisis – the Syrian refugee crisis. They settle for a month in the Za'atari refugee camp in Jordan, housing about 85,000 Syrian refugees, making it one of the largest refugee camps in the world. Salam, which means 'peace' in Arabic, aptly summarizes the goal of the filmmakers: to foster understanding, empathy, and peace in a tense global climate punctuated by conflict and misunderstanding.

This film conveys a unique ‘fly on the wall’ perspective, allowing the filmmakers not only to document the lives of Syrians who have been displaced by the ongoing civil war but also to immerse themselves fully in their day-to-day existence. This immersive nature of the observation makes the film a unique blend of experiential film and traditional documentary. It puts the audience in the shoes of these refugees, allowing for a deep, intense connection that fosters a profound understanding and empathy often lacking in traditional news coverage.

The filmmakers showcase their journey from the initial process of getting approved by the United Nations to live in the camp, to the tension of their first night’s sleep surrounded by 85,000 displaced Syrians, and the many relationships they cultivate during their stay. From teachers to teenagers, to the camp’s security officer, these individual narratives work together to form a larger, more comprehensive portrait of life as a refugee.

Salam Neighbor gives its audience an in-depth, never before seen look at a world we so often only read about or see through grim headlines. The film presents the refugees not as anonymous, faceless victims but as individuals with vibrant personalities, personal histories, dreams, and aspirations that could mirror our own. It is a deeply humanizing film that showcases the resilience, ingenuity, and tenacity of the human spirit, even in the face of unimaginable hardship.

The portrayal of the children in the Za'atari refugee camp is particularly poignant and heartrending, as the directors reveal the challenges these young souls face while striving to live ordinary lives. To these children, the camp is not a temporary accommodation but a profound reality. The film delves into the education system within the camp and reveals how these children cling to hope for a brighter future.

The gravity of the film’s subject matter is expertly balanced with moments of levity, found in the everyday humor, warmth, and humanity of camp residents. It captures the simplicity of their daily routines, their communal struggles, and the many moments of joy that occasionally break the monotony of life within the camp's perimeter.

Salam Neighbor is a poignant and comprehensive study of the human condition pitted against catastrophic events, telling stories through the eyes of the refugees themselves. It does not shy away from the horrifying realities of a refugee camp, but it also shines light on the resilience, strength, and indomitable spirit of the Syrian people living there. It underlines the significance of not losing hope, no matter the circumstances.

Salam Neighbor is not just a film; it is an immersive, respectful, and humanizing experience that invites the audience to step into the shoes of the world’s refugees, if only for a brief period of time. It is an uncompromising and deliberate call to action, urging us to cast aside our biases and to see the strength, the courage, and the undeniable humanity in every displaced individual. It is an attempt to spark dialogue, awareness, and change by exposing the reality of life in refugee camps — a reality that is heartbreaking, inspiring, complicated, and ultimately profoundly human.

The documentary Salam Neighbor is more than just an insightful movie; it's a necessary watch that provides a compelling, up-close snapshot of the Syrian refugee crisis and the resilient people at its heart.