With appreciation,
Simon Safieh
Rwaeda
“The film tells the story of Rouaida, a young woman who brings life to the ruined walls of Homs with her drawings – life that insists on blooming despite all the destruction.” The film was created as part of a documentary filmmaking workshop, in partnership between the UNDP Syria and Lens of Peace. I served as the lead trainer and general supervisor of the production.
In the Homs workshop, the participants were clear and honest about their differences, shaped by the deep divisions the war had caused in their city. The idea behind the film was to search for what still unites them—and all the people of Homs.
That search led to “Khamis al-Halawé”, a local celebration once unique to the people of Homs, celebrated yearly until 2011.
But during that search, they found Rouaida.
The protagonist of their film. Despite her simplicity, she brought them together, inspired them, and redirected the entire course of the film. That’s how this story came to life
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Basma (We Resist to Bring Back a Smile) is a national volunteer organization for children with cancer and their families. It began operating since November 2005 and case seeds started in November 2003 }
