Quartile rating: 6.5/10 · 1 rating
Deep beneath the surface in the Syrian province of Ghouta, a group of female doctors have established an underground field hospital. Under the supervision of paediatrician Dr. Amani and her staff of doctors and nurses, hope is restored for some of the thousands of children and civilian victims of the ruthless Syrian civil war.
Feras Fayyad's documentary offers a visceral, immersive portrait of an underground hospital in besieged Eastern Ghouta, distinguished by its extraordinary cinematography under near-impossible conditions. The camera work captures both the mundane rhythms and the sudden horror of life underground with rare intimacy. Dr. Amani's story as a woman navigating patriarchal pressure while leading medical care in a war zone gives the film a compelling personal anchor that elevates it beyond standard conflict journalism. The novelty is high — this is a singular, physically and emotionally unique vantage point on the Syrian war, told through a feminist lens rarely seen in the genre. The ending, while emotionally honest, carries the weight of ambiguity and loss rather than resolution, which is authentic but leaves the narrative without a strong cathartic close. Acting as a category is less applicable in documentary terms, but the natural presence and courage of the subjects is undeniable.