Silvered Water, Syria Self-Portrait

Silvered Water, Syria Self-Portrait (Ma'a al-Fidda) is a deeply impactful and engaging film that gives the viewers a raw look at the brutal realities of Syria's ongoing civil war. Directed by Wiam Bedirxan and Ossama Mohammed, this documentary brings into light the hardship, fear, and chaos embedded in a complex geopolitical conflict that has led to unimaginable human suffering. Unlike many other films that are attempted from a safe distance, Bedirxan, an elementary school teacher in Syrian Kurdistan, bravely documents the events from the heart of the war-torn city of Homs.

Playing a significant role, Simav Bedirxan is not only the co-director but also the narrator of this movie. Initially, she starts by documenting small instances of everyday life in Homs, things as simple as a cat dragging a rat across the street. However, as the film progresses, Bedirxan's camera begins to witness the escalating horrors of the civil war; schools being burned, children caught in crossfire, civilians caught between government forces and rebel fighters.

Interwoven with Bedirxan's footage are thousands of clips filmed by everyday Syrians, collected and curated by Ossama Mohammed, who was living in political exile in Paris during the filming. These clips, uploaded online, became Syria's version of a shared outcry and a plea for help. Mohammed refers to these entire group of people documenting the devastation as "1,001 Syrians". These clips do not shy away from showing the gritty reality of war: fallen buildings, suffering civilians, and the blind-eyed world around them.

Complementing the raw video clips throughout the film is the poignant narration. The exchanges between Mohammed and Bedirxan reinforce the visuals, giving them a human context and managing to strike a profoundly emotional chord with the viewer. In conjunction with the authentic footage of the war, their conversations reflect the substance of the Syrian conflict, engaging viewers in direct dialogue with the painful, often bitter truth. From discussing their personal struggles, they open up to the more widespread pain of a nation undergoing a violent political transition.

Mohammed's self-exile in Paris does not disconnect him from his homeland. He is brimming with guilt for being safe while his compatriots suffer. However, he still contributes significantly to the struggle by piecing together this documentary, a mosaic of the Syrian experience, which serves as a potent act of resistance against the oppressive regime.

Silvered Water, Syria Self-Portrait is more than just a documentary – it's a visual testament to the complexities of war. The title itself, derived from a Syrian saying, is a metaphorical representation of the film's content. It stands for the mirrors (silvered water) through which the horrifying glimpses of reality shine through. These metaphorical mirrors are the cellphones and small cameras that captured the real-time plight of humans caught in the crossfire.

A thing worth mentioning about this movie is the manner in which it portrays children. Bedirxan’s neighborhood in Homs is filled with children. Throughout the documentary, they play a noteworthy part, symbolizing innocence yet exposed to the brutality of war. They appear frequently in the video clips, some smiling and laughing despite the chaos, others bearing witness to the horror around them—a reality far removed from the world of a child. They are the poignant reminders of the human toll of the Syrian conflict.

Despite its rawness, the movie isn’t without a certain artistic approach, that in no way underplays the severity of the situation. Instead, it enhances viewer understanding. For instance, the footage often switches between color and black and white. There are also instances where certain visuals are overlaid, making a strong impact on the viewer's psyche about the drastic effects of the war.

Silvered Water, Syria Self-Portrait is, without a doubt, a deeply moving and powerful documentary that captures the relentless chaos of warfare. However, it is not for the faint-hearted. The realities of war it portrays are raw and brutal and may deeply impact sensitive viewers. Nevertheless, it is a must-watch for those wanting to understand the Syrian conflict beyond the headlines and appreciate the courage of those living through it and giving voice to their unheard stories.