Alexandra Thompson, Grade 11
UWC Mostar
Earlier this year during the Middle Eastern Culture Week at UWC Mostar, a group of students organised a screening of ‘For Sama’- an award-winning documentary that follows Waad Al-Kateab, who produced and narrated the film, and her family through the war in Syria, specifically the Battle of Aleppo-the city which the film focuses on. An incredible amount of effort on the part of the students had gone into being able to screen the film, and without cost for the attendees.
Virtually all of the school’s 200 students gathered in what would usually be a large, dark room but was now a small, crowded place, with an even more haunting air. The turnout was one of the highest for any event or gathering that I have yet to see in the community.
Learning about the experiences of students who were in the same room, with one from Aleppo, added a further layer of sensitivity to the issue. The atmosphere was unlike any other I have experienced. Seeing something so real that- at least for me- was not on my everyday radar was entirely dumbfounding. This was a moment that I tried to absorb all of the emotions, experiences and events, whilst also trying not to think about just how sheltered I was from these realities.
In the documentary, there were photos shown of a group of people. Gradually, as the war continued, there were less and less people from the original photo alive, having been killed in the conflict. Those who worked in the hospital did their best to care for others in a time of such great need. The constant violence and bombing was accompanied by the fact that nobody knew who would make it through the day. The smoke and dust rose and rushed through halls and streets. The film shed light on countless horrific events and constant terror. On the other side of the screen, there were a lot of tears. The room was filled with a heavy, contemplative silence. For a place with people who are usually filled with upbeat electricity, this instance was the farthest from it.
Following the end of the movie, a handful of students spoke about what they had gone through, and how the film portrayed the Syrian Civil War. Hearing first-hand accounts of these monstrosities and happenings that one could never imagine in the worst of situations was eye-opening, to say the least.
I can guarantee that most people that left the room had changed from this event in which they could have easily decided not to care about, or not to pay any heed. Yet, to not care about something that is so real and vicious would be inhumane. The horror instilled in those unaffected by the war was shocking, yet we were sheltered to an extent, being shown through sitting in front of a screen. I could walk away, and it would not affect me unless I decided to take something from it. However, millions of people cannot simply leave a room and escape the situation.
Knowing that these students had lived through absolute hell had left me with some questions: if the documentary had not been screened, how many would not have any idea of the war and the suffering; why this was happening, and the horrors that humans can inflict upon each other? I know that before this screening, I had a lot less knowledge about this issue.
I believe that this was a moment that regardless of political inclination or belief, these must be abandoned in order to understand and listen and to learn. I was immensely grateful, and still am, that the students had organised the documentary screening and talks from the students who had been through the Syrian Civil War following the end of the film.
Now more than ever, I think it is imperative to be forced to come to terms with uncomfortable truths and act on them. The mission statement and the purpose of founding UWC must guide us in how we move forward and approach issues. Being uncomfortable allows us to challenge ourselves and to grow, and there is much we have yet to change.
Virtually all of the school’s 200 students gathered in what would usually be a large, dark room but was now a small, crowded place, with an even more haunting air. The turnout was one of the highest for any event or gathering that I have yet to see in the community.
Learning about the experiences of students who were in the same room, with one from Aleppo, added a further layer of sensitivity to the issue. The atmosphere was unlike any other I have experienced. Seeing something so real that- at least for me- was not on my everyday radar was entirely dumbfounding. This was a moment that I tried to absorb all of the emotions, experiences and events, whilst also trying not to think about just how sheltered I was from these realities.
In the documentary, there were photos shown of a group of people. Gradually, as the war continued, there were less and less people from the original photo alive, having been killed in the conflict. Those who worked in the hospital did their best to care for others in a time of such great need. The constant violence and bombing was accompanied by the fact that nobody knew who would make it through the day. The smoke and dust rose and rushed through halls and streets. The film shed light on countless horrific events and constant terror. On the other side of the screen, there were a lot of tears. The room was filled with a heavy, contemplative silence. For a place with people who are usually filled with upbeat electricity, this instance was the farthest from it.
Following the end of the movie, a handful of students spoke about what they had gone through, and how the film portrayed the Syrian Civil War. Hearing first-hand accounts of these monstrosities and happenings that one could never imagine in the worst of situations was eye-opening, to say the least.
I can guarantee that most people that left the room had changed from this event in which they could have easily decided not to care about, or not to pay any heed. Yet, to not care about something that is so real and vicious would be inhumane. The horror instilled in those unaffected by the war was shocking, yet we were sheltered to an extent, being shown through sitting in front of a screen. I could walk away, and it would not affect me unless I decided to take something from it. However, millions of people cannot simply leave a room and escape the situation.
Knowing that these students had lived through absolute hell had left me with some questions: if the documentary had not been screened, how many would not have any idea of the war and the suffering; why this was happening, and the horrors that humans can inflict upon each other? I know that before this screening, I had a lot less knowledge about this issue.
I believe that this was a moment that regardless of political inclination or belief, these must be abandoned in order to understand and listen and to learn. I was immensely grateful, and still am, that the students had organised the documentary screening and talks from the students who had been through the Syrian Civil War following the end of the film.
Now more than ever, I think it is imperative to be forced to come to terms with uncomfortable truths and act on them. The mission statement and the purpose of founding UWC must guide us in how we move forward and approach issues. Being uncomfortable allows us to challenge ourselves and to grow, and there is much we have yet to change.
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