Tagline: THE SUFFERING GRASSES: when elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers.

Over a year later, with thousands dead and counting, the ongoing conflict in Syria has become a microcosm for the complicated politics of the region, and an unsavory reflection of the world at large. Against the backdrop of the Arab Spring, NATO's toppling of Moammar Qaddafi in Libya, and the complicated politics of the region, this film seeks to explore the Syrian conflict through the humanity of the civilians who have been killed, abused, and displaced to the squalor of refugee camps. In all such conflicts, large and small, it is civilians-women and children, families and whole communities-who suffer at the leisure of those in power. While focusing on the plight of those caught in the crossfire of the hegemons, we seek to unravel the conflict by exploring the motivations of its actors-the Ba'athist regime of Bashar al-Assad, the Free Syrian Army and other geopolitical players like the United States, Israel, Russia, China, Iran, Lebanon, Turkey, the Gulf countries... When elephants go to war, it is the grass that suffers. This is a film about the elephants, but made for the grasses.


directed by iara lee

Original Title: THE SUFFERING GRASSES: when elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers

LANGUAGE

Language/s of the original work: Arabic and English
Subtitles: English

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Country of production: Turkey and Syria
Month and Year of production: June 2012
Original Format: HD 1080p23.98
Running Time: 52 min
Number of tapes: 1
Black and White or Color: Color
Screen Format: 16: 9
Sound: Stereo
Genre: Documentary
Theme: anti-war, peace, global solidarity, human rights, freedom

Director: Iara Lee
Producer: Iara Lee
Executive Producer: Al-Omariya Kuwait
Distributor: N/A

CREDITS

Editor: Emad Maher
Photography / Camera: Sabah Haider and Iara Lee
Production Sound: Sam Kashefi
Sound editor: Emad Maher & Samir Nabil
Production Manager and Music Supervisor: Abdulwahab Tahhan

Musicians:
Wasfi Massarani
Outlaws
Taylor Deupree
Steve Peters + Steve Roden
Stephan Mathieu
Marcus Fischer
Illuha
Omar Offendum
Yahia Hawa
Al Munaqresh
El Khawaja

Cast (interviewees):
Abdulwahab Tahhan
Abo Joud
Abu Khaled
Aminah
Barra'a
Basheer
Dr. Abo Joud
Dr. Mohammed
KinanJandali
Mahmoud Hassino
Marwa Al-Ghamian
Mohammed
Moussa
Mujahed
Qamar
Rami
Salahadin
Seham
SuphiAtan
Um Hamed

Cartoons:
Syrian Animation Team
Kharabeesh
Juan Zero
Carlos Latuff
Flashmobs for Syria

Theatrical performance:
Freedom Wobas

Researchers:
Arthur Phillips
Mark Engler
Ibrahim Khider

Post production facility:
DayDreams Studio

Post production department:
Sergei Krasikov


Jeff Marcello

Production coordinators:
Claude Ibrahimoff
Kayla Cameron
Susi Collins
Mahmoud Hassino

PREVIOUS SCREENING INFORMATION

Festivals and other Events where film has screened:
Prizes and Distinctions:

COPYRIGHTS

THE SUFFERING GRASSES: when elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers

directed by iara lee


Over a year and a half later, with thousands dead and counting, the ongoing conflict in Syria has become a microcosm of political tensions in the Middle East and an unsavory reflection of the world at large. Against the backdrop of the Arab Spring and the complicated politics of the region, this film seeks to explore the Syrian conflict through the humanity of the civilians who have been killed, abused, and displaced to the squalor of refugee camps. In all such conflicts, large and small, it is civilians-women and children, families and whole communities-who suffer at the leisure of those in power and get caught in the crossfire of the hegemons. When elephants go to war, it is the grass that suffers!

In May 2012, director Iara Lee participated in a press delegation to the Turkish refugee camps housing Syrian exiles, where she interviewed those who have been most affected by the bloody conflict. Some who fled to the camps identify as militants, others are committed to nonviolent tactics, and many more are just trying to live in peace without repression. Each may have his or her own opinion about the decision of some actors to take up arms, or about whether the international community should try to topple the regime. Ultimately, however, any understanding of the Syrian conflict and its costs should be rooted in recognizing the humanity and suffering of these refugees. This film is one effort to do just that.

Beyond making the film, Lee also published an article and a photo slideshow at the Huffington Post arguing that "The Only True Revolution in Syria is Nonviolent." The article and the film have generated a lively debate and significant press interest. Check out our extended content below, and find out what you can do in solidarity with the nonviolent resistance in Syria.


CoR's new film, THE SUFFERING GRASSES, is now finished and available for screenings. As the conflict in Syria continues to deteriorate, we want the voices of those most affected by the violence to be heard as widely as possible. If you are interested in hosting a Syria solidarity event and want to screen the film, please write us at info@culturesofresistance.org. If you are interested in finding ways to take action in support of the Syrian nonviolent resistance, visit our action page.

Worldwide copyright: Caipirinha Productions Inc
39 Mesa Street #300 Presidio, San Francisco, CA 94129 USA
Ph: +1-415.561.3100 - Fax: +1-415.561.3101 -
E-mail info@culturesofresistance.org
Distributor / Broadcaster: N/A


Awards:
USA / NEVADA, Platinum Reel Award, Nevada Film Festival, 2012
USA / CALIFORNIA, Best Documentary Film Award, Arpa International Film Festival, 2012