The submitted pictures are film stills from the image-sound-collage of Matthias Leupold (picture) and Marie Séférian (music). Website with trailer: www.thesongofthevalley.com
The Song of the Valley provides a singular perspective on the crisis afflicting the 2 million Syrian refugees in Lebanon. While the attention of the world is often drawn elsewhere, the people in our film continue to face great hardships. Informing people about the continuation of this crisis remains imperative, which is why we wish to include the film in your competion. People in Lebanon are used to contrasts.
Today the four million Lebanese are sheltering (estimated) two million refugees. Many flee directly over the Syrian border to find shelter. The film seeks out Beirut residents and Syrian refugees to discuss their current situation. Contrary to expectations, many of them have no interest in going to Europe or Germany. The Syrians are too accustomed to their lives as shepherds or vegetable farmers back home to be able to imagine a new life with their many children in a totally strange climate and country. The wish for a speedy return to a peaceful Syria is the overwhelming sentiment expressed by Syrian refugees in several camps, when asked by the UNHCR in Anjar and the surrounding area. Many refugees would not give any interviews. They are afraid that their words would be interpreted as politically incorrect by the authorities or the Syrian government, and they fear reprisals.
Yet the Syrians sing about their yearning for their homeland, love and religion. And the Lebanese in turn sing of their patriotic feelings, which survived intact through their civil war and of which they are especially proud. Through these mostly improvised words and melodies, the dignity and strength of these two peoples are poetically conveyed and the viewer gains understandingand insight into this pressing, current situation. Official selection of Courage Film Festival Berlin 2020
