The film follows Waad Al-Kateab as she experiences everyday joys like finding love and having a child, all while living in Aleppo, Syria, where constant bombardment creates an unsettling contrast. Through her own photographs, viewers are immersed in the conflict she faces, balancing her desire for freedom from oppression with the urgent need to protect her young daughter, Sama. Waad maintains a remarkable positivity …

It’s difficult to watch 'For Sama,' and the knowledge that Idlib, a nearby city, is experiencing a similar siege only intensifies that feeling. The film's editing and narration are exceptional, and it’s vital that a wide audience sees it because standard news outlets fail to convey the reality of what life has been like during the Syrian conflict. This is an essential film that everyone should experience.