Communities and policymakers in the U.S. and worldwide are debating how to respond to refugees who have fled from conflict Syria. At POV, we’ve seen how compelling storytelling can create space for open and informed conversations about hot-button issues, and offer insights into the human side of policy debates. Many faces of the Syrian conflict and refugee experiences have been revealed on our series, and we recommend four films that bring audiences to deeper understandings of the nuances of these critical issues:
Return to Homs offers a look behind the barricades of the besieged Syrian city of Homs, where, for 19-year-old Basset and his ragtag group of comrades, the audacious hope of revolution is crumbling like the buildings around them. Screen the film | Download the lesson plan
The Light in Her Eyes follows Houda al-Habash, a conservative Muslim preacher who founded a Qur’an school for girls in Damascus, Syria, 30 years ago. Shot right before the uprising in Syria erupted, the film offers an extraordinary portrait of a leader who challenges the women of her community to live according to Islam, without giving up their dreams. Screen the film | Download the lesson plan
Neuland explores how one teacher prepares his class of immigrants from around the world for their new lives in Switzerland, as they struggle to learn a new language, prepare themselves for employment, and reveal their innermost hopes and dreams. Screen the film | Download the lesson plan
Special Flight documents the plight of undocumented immigrants at a detention center in Geneva, Switzerland, unearthing contradictions between compassionate social policies and intractable immigration laws. Screen the film | Download the lesson plan
Borrow the DVDs for free to bring these films and conversations to your community, school or workplace. You can also visit our Educators Page for access to standards-aligned lesson plans and streaming clips for use in the classroom. For additional films, explore our DVD Lending Library, conveniently sorted into topics including Immigration, International, Rights & Liberties, and War & Peace.
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