“Above the Ground” Syrian documentary film, directed by Somar Agha, has won the best director prize for long documentary films at the Budapest Film Festival.
The idea of the film is based on history and humanity in the light of the war on Syria and on the effect of these two elements in forming Syrian society which is based on tolerance and coexistence on the Syrian land which has witnessed the steadfastness of the Syrians throughout ages, Agha told SANA.
He said that the film aims at conveying a message that Syria will remain as a symbol of humanity to the world, and that what is happening currently in the country is an important part of history.
The film, Agha added, was first screened in mid 2021 under the patronage of the Syrian Consulate in Ukraine and then it started its tours in other countries like India, Singapore and Romania, where it won several awards.
The film also reached the finals of Cannes Film Festival and was among the best three nominated documentaries.

Director Somar Agha is the son of the Syrian plastic artist Afif Agha. He studies film directing at the University of Karpenko Kary in Kiev. He obtained a masters degree in film and TV directing and he directed several short fiction films.
Hamda Mustafa