Among the many attempts to convey the devastation wrought upon Syria, few documentaries have so vividly captured the reality of life under bombs.
Last Men in Aleppo focuses on three White Helmet volunteers who, faced with the destruction of their city, have put their own lives on hold to help rescue survivors from the frequent bomb attacks – and to recover the bodies of the dead.
Offering candid glimpses of everyday life, the film is careful to avoid sensationalising their rescue missions, capturing fleeting moments of laughter and joy that echo through the ruins and force audiences to bear witness.
This film was supported by the IDFA Bertha Fund.
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This is a visceral portrait of a city at war, containing several scenes showing the dead bodies of bombing victims, alongside scenes of fighting and destruction.