Alma mater

With all due respect to the suffering of the people of war-torn Syria, and being aware of the hundreds of thousands of victims and their harsh stories, I must label In Syria an artistic failure. The film relies too heavily on its bitter content, but its execution falls short. Despite the displayed pain, the film fails to captivate or even hold one's attention. I noticed a glassy expression in the eyes of some viewers, and I couldn't ignore their repeated yawning. The problem is not with the actors or the subject matter - after all, Hiam Abbass is rightfully regarded as a top actress, and Diamand Bou Abboud is also excellent. The issue lies with the direction. Philipp Van Leeuw simply lacks the mastery necessary to create a great film. Take Polanski's The Pianist or Kachyňa's Coach to Vienna, for example. In both cases, the director only needed a simple story, an intimate setting, and just three characters to unfold an emotionally devastating drama - all because the director was a creative visionary who didn't settle for average results. Overall impression: 55% out of courtesy. (21.03.2018)