★★★★

A love story set amid the harsh realities of war grounds the documentary Birds of War as a film full of humanity and compassion. Covering approximately 13 years, Lebanese journalist Janay Boulous and Syrian activist Abd Aldaker Habak first meet in 2016 when Boulous was working for the BBC as a reporter and Habak a cameraman in Aleppo. With Habak documenting his country’s civil war and atrocities being committed to the Syrian people, the two cross paths and an unlikely relationship begins.

Collating cell phone footage, news broadcasts, personal photos and videos, Boulous and Habak, credited as writers and directors, document how an unlikely connection can survive against untenable and unimaginable heartbreak and hardship. We also see the dichotomy of two distinctive worlds - in Syria, Habak experiences a war-torn city under frequent attack and in Lebanon, Boulous paints a calmer, more peaceful picture. 

This is almost a real-life Romeo and Juliet story, with Boulous and Habak seeing their countries in conflict and societal influence trying to pit respective populations against one another. Their relationship feels like a rose rising from the concrete. It’s an apt analogy, as the deeply personal connection grows against the odds and serves as a unique and inspiring testament to love’s ability to overcome obstacles and persevere.

Birds of War was screened as part of the 52nd Seattle International Film Festival.