dg - return to homs - pbs
Post on 21-Apr-2022
4 Views
Preview:
TRANSCRIPT
Return to Homs
A Film by Talal Derki
Community Engagement & Education
DISCUSSION GUIDE
www.pbs.org/pov
POV
|2DISCUSSION GUIDE
Return to Homs
LETTER FROM THE FILMMAKER
The movie is about the Syrian citizen who challenged everything
and everyone to demand freedom. It's a movie about war and
the pressure of being in a battlefield.
When I got to Homs and met Abdul Basset al-Saroot, I was in-
spired immediately. I knew it: He was the personality that I had
been looking for, a courageous 19-year-old man, full of charac-
ter and charisma. He could bring the people closer to him in a
second, and everyone loved him and appreciated his energy.
Abdul Basset always uses his emotions. He used to do so in soc-
cer; he became a famous goalkeeper; and he did the same in the
revolution. In the first protests in Homs, Saroot climbed the other
guys' shoulders, took his shirt off, and started chanting, "Hey,
hey, sniper, here's my neck and my head." His message: "I am
Abdul Basset al-Saroot. I don't hide my face; I use my full name;
and I am here and against the Syrian regime."
What started as peaceful protests in Syria soon evolved into
siege in Homs, into the battles and violence around the country,
where snipers shot citizens and the regime shelled places killing
innocent souls. That's when Saroot started carrying weapons.
The character of Ossama in the movie represents the eyes of the
viewer. Ossama's camera represents the fictional presence of the
viewer in Homs. I wanted to highlight his role as a videographer.
We focused on Saroot and Osama's characters.
The filming was continuous: even when Saroot and his group
were stuck they were being filmed using zoom lenses, a process
that lasted for 15 days until they managed to dig a tunnel and
return to Khalidiyyeh. So the scenes in the movie shocked many
people—the shelling, the death of a fighter who was alive few
seconds ago.
The crisis changed each and every one of us. The challenges
changed us, but mostly it was death. Death left its mark on every
one of us: We all changed because of the increasing violence,
the loss of people close to us, the injustice, the fragmentation.
However, Abdul Basset was strong and very solid; he was and
still is persistent.
Talal Derki
Director/Writer, Return to Homs
Filmmaker Talal Derki.
Photo courtesy of Proaction Film & Ventana Films
|3DISCUSSION GUIDE
Return to Homs
2 Letter from the Filmmaker
4 Introduction
5 Potential Partners
5 Key Issues
5 Using This Guide
6 A Note About Examining
Ongoing Conflicts
6 Background Information
6 Religious Demographics in Syria
7 Sectarian Divides
8 History of Syria, Pre-2011
10 Civil War in Syria, 2011-Present
12 Homs in Ruins
13 Journalism Under Fire
14 Timeline of Events
16 Selected People Featured
in Return to Homs
17 General Discussion Questions
18 Discussion Prompts
21 Taking Action
22 Resources
24 How to Buy the Film
Writer
Faith Rogow, PhDInsighters Educational Consulting
Background Research and Reporting
Margaret Brown
Guide Producers and Background Research, POV
Eliza LichtVice President, Content Strategy and Engagement , POV
Aubrey GallegosManager, Community Engagement and Education, POV
Alice QuinlanAssistant, Community Engagement and Education, POV
Camille BordersIntern, Community Engagement and Education, POV
Isaac J. ParkIntern, Community Engagement and Education, POV
Design:
Rafael Jiménez
Copy Editor:
Natalie Danford
Thanks to those who reviewed this guide:
Christa SalamandraAssociate Professor of Anthropology, Lehman College and the Graduate Center, The City University of New York
TABLE OF CONTENTS CREDITS
Shot between August 2011 and April 2013, Return to Homs
(88 min.) provides an unprecedented look at the Syrian
regime’s war against its own people—a war largely waged
behind a media blackout. Return to Homs takes viewers on
a multi-year ride-along with a small group of Syrian insur-
gents led by Abdul Basset Saroot, a charismatic, 19-year-old
Syrian soccer star. Like many of his peers, Basset began as
a nonviolent protester seeking an end to the repressive poli-
cies of the Assad government—part of Syria’s Arab Upris-
ings, also known as the Arab Spring. The military’s lethal
response ultimately led him to take up arms to defend his
city.
The film’s chronicle of optimism disintegrating into destruc-
tion is a study of the emotional life of a rebellion, alternately
hopeful and unbearably sad. Its subjects are reflective, pen-
sive, courageous and desperate.
Return to Homs pierces the barricades of a besieged city.
Viewers see the maze of hiding places behind the walls of
bombed-out buildings, some of which are the insurgents’
former homes. We see death in real time. And we feel the
frustration and anger when promises of support are broken
and the world seems to be ignoring calls for help. As an out-
reach tool, this extraordinary documentary challenges us to
ask, “Who is responsible for such suffering and what can we
do to bring it to an end?”
INTRODUCTION
|4DISCUSSION GUIDE
Return to Homs
Basset in a crowd of protesters.
Photo courtesy of Proaction Film & Ventana Films
Return to Homs is well suited for use in a variety of set-
tings and is especially recommended for use with:
• Your local PBS station
• Groups that have discussed previous PBS and POV
films relating to the Middle East, political protest
and/or armed rebellion, including The Oath, Point
and Shoot, The Act of Killing, A World Not Ours, 5
Broken Cameras, The Brooklyn Connection,
Granito: How to Nail a Dictator and Armadillo
• Groups focused on any of the issues listed in the
Key Issues section
• High school students, youth groups and clubs
• Faith-based organizations and institutions
• Cultural, art and historical organizations,
institutions and museums
• Civic, fraternal and community groups
• Academic departments and student groups at
colleges, universities and high schools
• Community organizations with a mission to
promote education and learning, such as local
libraries
Return to Homs is an excellent tool for outreach and will
be of special interest to people looking to explore the
following topics:
• Arab Uprisings/Arab Spring
• armed rebellion
• civil war
• foreign policy
• Free Syrian Army
• honor
• human rights
• insurgents
• Islam
• manhood
• Middle East
• military strategy
• nonviolent protest
• political change
• protest movements
• religious and political martyrdom
• sectarianism
• secularism
• Syria
• war
• war crimes
|5DISCUSSION GUIDE
Return to Homs
USING THIS GUIDE
This guide is an invitation to dialogue. It is based on a belief in the power of human connection, designed for people who
want to use Return to Homs to engage family, friends, classmates, colleagues and communities. In contrast to initiatives
that foster debates in which participants try to convince others that they are right, this document envisions conversa-
tions undertaken in a spirit of openness in which people try to understand one another and expand their thinking by shar-
ing viewpoints and listening actively.
The discussion prompts are intentionally crafted to help a wide range of audiences think more deeply about the issues
in the film. Rather than attempting to address them all, choose one or two that best meet your needs and interests. And
be sure to leave time to consider taking action. Planning next steps can help people leave the room feeling energized and
optimistic, even in instances when conversations have been difficult.
For more detailed event planning and facilitation tips, visit www.pov.org/engage
POTENTIAL PARTNERS KEY ISSUES
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
|6DISCUSSION GUIDE
Return to Homs
Religious Demographics in Syria
To contextualize the conflict in Syria, it’s helpful to under-
stand the breakdown of religious groups in the country.
Syria is home to a number of religious groups, including
Christians, Druze, Alawite Muslims and Sunni Muslims.
● Sunni Muslims: Sunni Muslims account for an estimated
74% of Syria’s population of 22 million people. Sunni Mus-
lims are a majority in most Arab countries.
● Alawite Muslims: Alawite Muslims make up an esti-
mated 12% of Syria’s population and hold a great deal of po-
litical power; the presidential family, the Assad family, is
Alawite.
● Other: Christians make up an estimated 10% of the
population, Druze 3% and the remaining 1% consists of Shia
Muslims and other minority groups.
A majority of rebels in the opposition forces in the Syrian
Civil War are Sunni Muslims, whereas the military leadership
and government supporters are Alawite Muslims. However,
there are also protesters from Druze, Christian and even
Alawite backgrounds, many calling for more political
rights, social reform and regime change. As the war
in Syria has progressed, the violence has taken on sectarian
undertones. Some opposition activists believe that President
Bashar al-Assad intends to create an entirely Alawite state.
Sources:
Al Jazeera. “Q&A: Nir Rosen on Syria’s Protest Movement.”
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2012/02/
20122157654659323.html
BBC News. “Syria Profile.”
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-14703856
Coutts, Adam. “Syria’s Uprising Could Have Been Avoided Through
Reform.” The Guardian, May 18, 2011.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/vcommentisfree/2011/may/18/syria-
uprising-reform-bashar-al-assad
Heneghan, Tom. “Syria’s Alawites Are Secretive, Unorthodox Sect.”
Reuters, December 23, 2011.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/23/us-syria-religion-alawites-
idUSTRE7BM1J220111223
A government tank drives through ruined Homs.
Photo courtesy of Proaction Film & Ventana Films
A NOTE ABOUT EXAMINING ONGOING CONFLICTS
It is difficult to analyze a conflict in motion. Return to Homs depicts one story and perspective of many in a tumultuous and
multi-layered conflict. As the civil war in Syria continues, the complexities of the issues deepen and positions often shift. This
guide is intended as a primer for viewers to continue their own learning, think critically about media depictions of the con-
flict and engage in open, thoughtful discussion, taking into consideration all sides of the issues.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
|7DISCUSSION GUIDE
Return to Homs
MacFarquhar, Neil. “Arab League Votes to Suspend Syria Over
Crackdown.” The New York Times, November 12, 2011.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/13/world/middleeast/arab-league-
votes-to-suspend-syria-over-its-crackdown-on-protesters.html?
pagewanted=all
MacFarquhar, Neil. “Hafez al-Assad, Who Turned Syria Into a Power in
the Middle East, Dies at 69.” The New York Times, June 11, 2000.
http://www.nytimes.com/2000/06/11/world/hafez-al-assad-who-turned-
syria-into-a-power-in-the-middle-east-dies-at-69.html?pagewanted=1
Mroue, Bassem and Zeina Karam. “Syrian Army Launches Heavy
Barrage on City of Homs.” Associated Press, July 5, 2013.
http://bigstory.ap.org/article/syrian-opposition-bloc-urges-world-
protect-homs
PBS NewsHour. “Author and Activist Elie Wiesel: Syria Is ‘a
Bloody Center of History.’”
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2012/02/elie-wiesel-on-
syria.html
U.S. Department of State. “U.S. Relations With Syria.”
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3580.htm
Sectarian Divides
Though the war is increasingly divided along sectarian lines,
sectarianism has existed in Syria for decades and denotes
political and socio-economic differences as much as it does
religious ones. Such divides have roots in the French Man-
date (1920-1946), under which colonial governments ad-
vanced minority groups such as Alawites and Christians to
positions of power in order to leverage control over the ter-
ritory’s Sunni majority.
The role of sectarianism in the Syrian Civil War is debated.
Some fear that discussions of religious differences only serve
to increase the divide, while others maintain that ignoring
sectarianism leads to an oversimplification of the conflict. In
avoiding discussions of sectarianism, critics argue, media
outlets have portrayed the Assad regime as what Patrick
Cockburn describes as “an evil government oppressing a
heroic people,” when in actuality the situation is quite com-
plex and nuanced. For more information, visit the Resources
section of this guide.
Basset and others rushing an injured rebel to safety.
Photo courtesy of Proaction Film & Ventana Films
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
|8DISCUSSION GUIDE
Return to Homs
Sources:
Cockburn, Patrick. “All the Evidence Points to Sectarian Civil War
in Syria, But No One Wants to Admit It.” The Independent,
February 12, 2012.
http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/commentators/patrick-
cockburn-all-the-evidence-points-to-sectarian-civil-war-in-syria-but-no-
one-wants-to-admit-it-6785682.html
Salamandra, Christa. “Reflections on Not Writing About the Syrian
Conflict.” Jadaliyya, February 5, 2014.
http://www.jadaliyya.com/pages/index/1:6290/reflections-on-not-
writing-about-the-syrian-conflict
Urban, Mark. “Why There Is More to Syria Conflict than Sectarianism.”
BBC News, June 4, 2013.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-22770219
History of Syria, Pre-2011
In 1916, with Ottoman rule on the wane, British and French
powers took control of the Levant region to form the French
Mandate over what is now Syria and Lebanon, while paying
little attention to ethnic or religious divisions. In the after-
math of World War I and the weakening of the Ottoman Em-
pire, Syria functioned as a French protectorate heading
toward independence. That independence would become
official in 1946, following World War II. The decades of the
1950s and 1960s were marked by political instability and a
series of military coups. Between 1958 and 1961, Syria united
with Egypt to become one state, but it seceded in 1963, and
the secular Ba’ath Party took over. In 1970, military leader
Hafez al-Assad staged a bloodless coup and became the
head of the Ba’ath Party and president of Syria. After com-
ing to power, Assad quickly consolidated his government.
As an Alawite, he appointed other Alawite family members
to particularly key political positions, replacing Sunnis and
Basset leads chants at an early protest.
Photo courtesy of Proaction Film & Ventana Films
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
|9DISCUSSION GUIDE
Return to Homs
secular Ba’athists from within the party. He ruled Syria au-
tocratically from 1970 until his death in 2000.
Upon Hafez al-Assad’s death, his son Bashar al-Assad took
power with 97% of the vote (there were no other candidates
listed on the ballot). Some expected Bashar al-Assad’s
regime to bring democratic reforms to the country, and
Bashar was referred to as the “hope of Syria.” At the begin-
ning of his presidency, Bashar al-Assad did enact a number
of small-scale changes, including healthcare reforms and a
relaxation of media laws, but his administration continued
his father’s legacy of security crackdowns and political nepo-
tism. As of 2011, Syria was a middle-income country with
strong economic growth and fiscal stability. However, the
income gap in Syria widened between 2000 and 2011, and
the rising poverty rate during these years was one of many
factors that sparked pro-democracy protests in 2011, and the
war to come.
Sources:
Al Jazeera. “Q&A: Nir Rosen on Syria’s Protest Movement.”
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2012/02/
20122157654659323.html
BBC News. “Syria Profile.”
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-14703856
Central Intelligence Agency. “Syria.”
www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/sy.html
CNN. “Regime Backers Express Anger at Other Nations After Arab
League Suspends Syria.”
http://articles.cnn.com/2011-11-12/middleeast/world_meast_syria-unrest
_1_arab-league-bashar-al-assad-president-bashar?_s=PM:MIDDLEEAST
Coutts, Adam. “Syria’s Uprising Could Have Been Avoided Through
Reform.” The Guardian, May 18, 2011.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/may/18/
syria-uprising-reform-bashar-al-assad
Golovnina, Maria. “Asma al-Assad: A ‘Desert Rose’ Crushed by Syria’s
Strife.” Reuters, March 19, 2012.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/19/us-syria-asma-
idUSBRE82I0MB20120319
Kaphle, Anup. “Timeline: Unrest in Syria.” The Washington Post,
January 20, 2014.
http://apps.washingtonpost.com/g/page/world/timeline-unrest-in-
syria/207/
FSA rebels mourn a fallen fighter inside the beseiged city.
Photo courtesy of Proaction Film & Ventana Films
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
|10DISCUSSION GUIDE
Return to Homs
MacFarquhar, Neil. “Arab League Votes to Suspend Syria Over
Crackdown.” The New York Times, November 12, 2011.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/13/world/middleeast/arab-league-
votes-to-suspend-syria-over-its-crackdown-on-protesters.html?pagewa
nted=all
MacFarquhar, Neil. “Hafez al-Assad, Who Turned Syria Into a Power in
the Middle East, Dies at 69.” The New York Times, June 11, 2000.
http://www.nytimes.com/2000/06/11/world/hafez-al-assad-who-turned-
syria-into-a-power-in-the-middle-east-dies-at-69.html?pagewanted=1
MacFarquhar, Neil and Liam Stack. “Syrian Protesters Clash With
Security Forces.” The New York Times, April 1, 2011.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/02/world/middleeast/02syria.html?_r=0
PBS NewsHour. “Author and Activist Elie Wiesel: Syria Is ‘a
Bloody Center of History.’”
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2012/02/elie-wiesel-on-
syria.html
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
“Syria Crisis Common Context Analysis.”
https://docs.unocha.org/sites/dms/Documents/Syria%20Crisis
%20Common%20Context%20Analysis_June%202014.pdf
U.S. Department of State. “U.S. Relations With Syria.”
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3580.htm
Civil War in Syria, 2011-Present
Beginning in Tunisia in 2010, the Arab Uprisings (also known
as the “Arab Spring”) swept across the Middle East in a wave
of pro-democracy protests that effected change through-
out the region. Solidarity protests in Syria began in March
2011 in the city of Daraa, and protests in Homs, Damascus,
Aleppo and Hama followed soon after. As depicted in Re-
turn to Homs, the protests began as largely unarmed, peace-
ful rallies filled with music and catchy slogans, aimed at
obtaining democratic reforms and the release of political
prisoners. The government security forces responded to the
protests with violence, killing at least four civilians, and the
violence fueled calls for change and demands that President
Bashar al-Assad resign. The protests became even more vi-
olent over time, and both sides have been accused of war
crimes. Today, Syria is in a state of civil war and humanitar-
ian crisis.
In November 2011, the Arab League suspended Syria’s mem-
bership and called for political and security reforms in Syria,
urging the Syrian army to withdraw its security forces from
A shell explosion blasts smoke and dust
above the Homs skyline.
Photo courtesy of Proaction Film & Ventana Films
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
|11DISCUSSION GUIDE
Return to Homs
civilian areas and to release its political prisoners. The Arab
League formed a “monitoring mission” to assess the regime’s
response to its mandate. In late January 2012, the Arab
League suspended the mission due to a dramatic increase
in violence. The diplomatic focus switched to the United Na-
tions Security Council with the hope that it would vote on a
draft resolution for a quick transition to an interim govern-
ment.
According to a 2014 report by the United Nations Office for
the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Syria has enacted
excessive force against its civilians over the course of the
past three years—deliberately trapping civilians and rebel
forces inside war-torn cities and withholding or blocking ac-
cess to humanitarian aid. Healthcare facilities have been tar-
gets of the regime, and medical staff members attempting
to subvert government restrictions on care have been de-
tained, tortured and killed. In 2013, the United Nations con-
firmed that Assad had ordered the use of chemical weapons
against both rebels and civilians, including children.
The main opposition to the Assad regime is offered by the
Syrian National Coalition. Based in Istanbul, the coalition
commands forces from abroad, though some local rebel
groups have representatives within the coalition. The Syrian
National Coalition was founded in 2012 in an attempt to or-
ganize a more cohesive force against the Assad regime;
however, the opposition remains fractured. Although more
than 100 countries have recognized the Syrian National
Coalition as the legitimate representative of the opposition,
in reality, there are as many as 1,000 separate rebel groups
commanding more than 100,000 fighters. The lack of unity
within the opposition has hindered its ability to fight against
Assad’s military regime and has prevented international sup-
porters from providing aid effectively.
The United States was slow to provide aid to opposition
forces in Syria not only due to fractured leadership, but also
in part due to concerns about increasingly militant influences
on Syrian rebel forces. Although Return to Homs depicts a
situation in which the opposition began as a secular re-
sponse to an oppressive government, as the conflict has
progressed, a more radical Islamist presence has emerged.
This presence has led to international concern over the fu-
ture of a Syrian state if rebel forces emerge victorious.
Thus far, the conflict has killed an estimated 191,000 Syrians.
As of the printing of this guide, more than 4 million Syrians
have fled to other countries, and 7.6 million people have
been internally displaced.
Sources:
Barnard, Anne and Eric Schmitt. “As Foreign Fighters Flood Syria,
Fears of a New Extremist Haven.” The New York Times, August 8, 2013.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/09/world/middleeast/as-foreign-
fighters-flood-syria-fears-of-a-new-extremist-haven.html?_r=2
BBC News. “Islamist Rebels in Syria Reject National Coalition.”
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-24239779
BBC News. “Syria Profile.”
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-14703856.
BBC News. “Syria: The Story of the Conflict.”
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-26116868
Heilprin, John. “UN: Death Toll From Syrian Civil War Tops 191,000.”
USA Today, August 22, 2014.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/08/22/united-
nations-syria-death-toll/14429549/
Institute for the Study of War. “Jihad in Syria. ”
http://www.understandingwar.org/report/jihad-syria
Kelley, Michael B. “The U.S. Confirms That It Is Not Coordinating With
the Free Syrian Army.” Business Insider, October 16, 2014.
http://www.businessinsider.com/the-us-has-officially-given-up-on-the-
free-syrian-army-2014-10
Rebhy, Abdullah. “Syrian Opposition Groups Reach Unity Deal.” The
Seattle Times, November 12, 2012.
http://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/
syrian-opposition-groups-reach-unity-deal/
Selo, Lava. “The U.N. Has Stopped Counting, But Syrians Keep Dying.”
Parallels, January 12, 2014.
http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2014/01/12/261059900/
the-u-n-has-stopped-counting-but-syrians-keep-dying
Sterling, Joe. “Daraa: The Spark That Lit the Syrian Flame.” CNN,
March 1, 2012.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/01/world/meast/syria-crisis-beginnings/
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. “More Than Four
Million Syrians Have Now Fled War and Persecution.”
http://www.unhcr.org/559d648a9.html
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
“Syria Crisis Common Context Analysis.”
https://docs.unocha.org/sites/dms/Documents/
Syria%20Crisis%20Common%20Context%20Analysis_June%202014.pdf
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
“Syrian Arab Republic.”
http://www.unocha.org/syria.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
|12DISCUSSION GUIDE
Return to Homs
Homs in Ruins
Once referred to as the “capital of the revolution,” the city of
Homs has been a major battleground between opposition
and government forces over the course of the war and has
experienced some of the worst violence of any Syrian city. In
2012, the Syrian military conducted two major military oper-
ations in the city of Homs, killing an estimated 700 civilians,
many of whom were children. Although the military re-
claimed the district of Bab Amr in Homs, 15 to 20 percent of
Homs was under opposition control through the end of 2012.
In 2013, opposition forces in Homs received an influx of
weapons and outside support, but siege warfare conducted
by the military forced rebels to lose ground, and Homs fell to
government forces in May 2014. After a siege surrounding
the Old City that trapped 3,000 people in the city with no
access to food or medicine, teams from the United Nations
and the Red Crescent (the Arab delegation of the Red
Cross) brokered a temporary ceasefire in order to evacuate
more than 1,500 fighters and their relatives from the area.
They were transferred to rebel-held territories in northern
Syria, and government forces moved in to take over the Old
City. The United Nations advised caution to civilians who
wished to return to Homs, saying that there were still
booby traps and landmines in the area.
Sources:
Al Jazeera. “Timeline of Syria’s Raging War.”
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/interactive/
2012/02/201225111654512841.html
BBC News. “Homs: Syrian Revolution’s Fallen ‘Capital.’”
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-15625642
BBC News. “Syria Conflict: Government Troops Retake Homs Old City.”
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-27323736
Mroue, Bassem and Zeina Karam. “Syrian Army Launches Heavy
Barrage on City of Homs.” Associated Press, July 5, 2013.
http://bigstory.ap.org/article/syrian-opposition-bloc-urges-world-
protect-homs
A section of Homs, destroyed in the conflict.
Photo courtesy of Proaction Film & Ventana Films
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
|13DISCUSSION GUIDE
Return to Homs
Journalism Under Fire
Journalists in Syria face great danger in reporting the events
of the war. Between 2011 and 2014, at least 79 journalists
were killed, making Syria the most dangerous country in the
world for media workers at present, and the second most
deadly country overall for journalists in the past 20 years. In
Return to Homs, we meet Ossama al-Homsi (a pseudonym
that means “Ossama of Homs”), a media activist and friend
of Abdul Basset Saroot. Ossama went missing in 2012, and
today his whereabouts are unknown. At least 20 other media
workers have gone missing while reporting on the conflict.
In 2011, Syrian president Bashar al-Assad introduced a num-
ber of reforms intended to appease the pro-democracy pro-
testers, including the loosening of some Internet and media
restrictions. However, the new media law maintained old re-
strictions on foreign journalists. In the ensuing years of war
and violence, there have been media blackouts, and journal-
ists have been specific targets of the Syrian government.
Professional journalists, alongside citizen bloggers, have
been detained, tortured and killed in the government’s at-
tempt to control the media.
Making Return to Homs was a dangerous endeavor for
the filmmakers. The regime enforced a news black-
out, and filmmakers were labeled terrorists. Cameras were
often dismantled and hidden in car chassis to get past
checkpoints, then reassembled. Videographers recharged
phones and laptops from car batteries and portable gener-
ators. Footage was smuggled out of the war zone at great
risk.
Sources:
Committee to Protect Journalists. “International Journalists Killed at
High Rate in 2014; Middle East Deadliest Region.”
https://cpj.org/reports/2014/12/international-journalists-killed-at-high-
rate-in-2014-middle-east-deadliest-region-for-press.php
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
“Syria Crisis Common Context Analysis.”
https://docs.unocha.org/sites/dms/Documents/Syria%20Crisis%20
Common%20Context%20Analysis_June%202014.pdf
Ziv, Stav. “Report: 60 Journalists Killed in 2014, Syria Deadliest
Country.” Newsweek, December 23, 2014.
http://www.newsweek.com/report-60-journalists-killed-2014-syria-
deadliest-country-294328
Basset leads chants at an early protest.
Photo courtesy of Proaction Film & Ventana Films
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
|14DISCUSSION GUIDE
Return to Homs
Timeline of Events
January-March 2011: Pro-democracy protests spread across the Middle East in the wake of the Arab Uprisings.
March 15, 2011: A “Day of Dignity” is held when protesters call for the release of political prisoners. On the same
day, a “Day of Rage” rally is held in the city of Daraa. Violence erupts in Daraa after a group of teenagers are
arrested for writing political graffiti. Dozens of protesters are killed by security forces in Daraa.
May 2011:
● President Bashar al-Assad abolishes martial law and subsequently introduces a new “counterterrorism” law.
Syrian military troops are deployed in civilian areas.
● The United States imposes sanctions on Syria.
August 2011:
● The Syrian National Council is formed.
● President Barack Obama calls upon Assad to step down.
November 2011: The Arab League imposes sanctions on Syria.
January 2012: Al-Qaeda establishes its presence in Syria through the rebel group Jabhat al-Nusra.
February 2012:
● The U.N. General Assembly passes a nonbinding resolution endorsing the Arab League’s plan for Assad to
step down. When the resolution reaches the U.N. Security Council, it is vetoed by Russia and China.
● Syria holds a referendum on a new constitution, but rebel forces dismiss it as a sham.
March 2012:
● Syrian troops take control of the Bab Amr neighborhood in Homs after killing hundreds of civilians in a
siege.
● The United Nations estimates 8,000 Syrians have died over the course of the conflict.
April 2012: The Syrian government promises to comply with a U.N. ceasefire on the condition that it can continue to
defend itself against forces it perceives to be terrorists. The ceasefire ultimately fails.
May 2012: An attack on Homs kills more than 100 civilians, more than half of whom are children.
June 2012: The United Nations suspends peacekeeper patrols due to escalating violence.
July 2012: The Syrian government threatens to use chemical weapons if foreign powers intercede in the conflict.
August 2012: Obama refers to chemical weapons as a “red line,” explaining that if Syria crosses the line and uses
chemical weapons against rebel forces, the United States will intervene.
November 2012: The Syrian National Council becomes the Syrian National Coalition to form a more cohesive front
against government forces.
February 2013:
● The U.N. Security Council estimates that the number of civilians killed is approaching 70,000.
● There is an influx of weapons from outside forces to support the Syrian National Coalition.
April 2013:
The jihadist militant group, ISIS (also known as ISIL and IS) expands into Syria. ISIS grew out of al-Qaeda (the
groups later split) and is one of the main jihadist government-opposition groups in Syria and Iraq. ISIS operates
independently of other jihadist and rebel groups, with its own set of objectives.
June 2013:
● Obama authorizes sending weapons to Syrian rebel forces in response to reported use of chemical
weapons by Assad’s government.
● The United Nations estimates 93,000 Syrians have been killed.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
|15DISCUSSION GUIDE
Return to Homs
August 2013:
● Assad is accused of using chemical weapons on civilians, including children. The Syrian government denies this
and blames the chemical attacks on rebel forces.
● Obama seeks Congressional approval to intervene with force in Syria.
September 2013:
● Obama decides not to intervene in Syria.
● The United States and Russia agree to a plan to dismantle chemical weapons in Syria.
October 2013: Chemical weapons factories in Syria are officially out of operation.
December 2013: A U.N. fact-finding team determines that people at the highest levels of the Syrian government are
responsible for war crimes.
January 2014:
● The United Nations stops counting Syrian deaths due to unreliable data as a result of the chaotic conditions of
war.
● The first round of international peace talks regarding the Syrian Civil War begins in Geneva.
February 2014: A second round of peace talks is held in Geneva. All parties fail to reach an agreement.
May 2014: The Syrian military regains control of Homs.
June 2014:
● Presidential elections are held in Syria. For the first time since Hafez al-Assad took power, more than one
candidate is allowed on the ballot. Bashar al-Assad wins the election.
● ISIS declares an Islamic state over its controlled territories in Syria and Iraq.
July 2014: The United Nations unanimously approves a plan to allow aid into Syria without the approval of the Syrian
government.
August 2014: The United Nations releases its first death count since its announcement in January that it would stop
counting due to unreliable data: it estimates that more than 191,000 people have been killed over the course of the
war.
Sources:
Al Jazeera. “Timeline of Syria’s Raging War.” http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/interactive/2012/02/201225111654512841.html
BBC News. “Syria Conflict: Government Troops Retake Homs Old City.” http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-27323736
BBC News. “Isis Rebels Declare ‘Islamic State’ in Iraq and Syria.” June 30, 2014. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-28082962
BBC News. “Syria Profile.” http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-14703856
BBC News. “Syria Iraq: The Islamic State Militant Group.” August 2, 2014. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-24179084
Chivers, C.J and Eric Schmitt. “Saudis Step Up Help for Rebels in Syria With Croatian Arms”. The New York Times. February 25. 2013.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/26/world/middleeast/in-shift-saudis-are-said-to-arm-rebels-in-syria.html?_r=0
CNN. “Syria Civil War Fast Facts.” http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/27/world/meast/syria-civil-war-fast-facts/
Laub, Zachary and Jonathan Masters. “The Islamic State.” Council on Foreign Relations. May 18, 2015. http://www.cfr.org/iraq/islamic-state/p14811
Sanchez, Ray. “ISIS, ISIL or the Islamic State?” CNN. January 23, 2015. http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/09/world/meast/isis-isil-islamic-state/
The New York Times. “Video Feature: The Story of ISIS.” December 16, 2014. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/15/world/middleeast/
video-feature-the-story-of-isis.html
The New York Times. “Events in Syria: A Chronology.” September 1, 2011. http://www.nytimes.com/ref/timestopics/syriatimeline.html?pagewanted=all
SELECT PEOPLE
|16DISCUSSION GUIDE
Return to Homs
Abdul Basset Saroot
A 19-year-old goalkeeper for the Syrian National Youth Soccer
Team who becomes a rebel leader in the city of Homs.
Ossama al-Homsi
A 24-year-old journalist who films the early stages of rebellion.
He is shot and later is “disappeared.”
Talal Derki
The director and narrator of the film.
Selected People Featured in Return to Homs
Immediately after the film, you may want to give people a
few quiet moments to reflect on what they have seen or
pose a general question (examples below) and give people
some time to themselves to jot down or think about their
answers before opening the discussion:
• Describe a moment or scene in the film that you
found particularly disturbing or moving. What was it
about that scene that was especially compelling for
you?
• If you could ask anyone in the film a single question
what would you ask and why?
• What did you learn from this film? What insights did
it provide?
• If a friend asked you what this film was about, what
would you say?
GENERAL DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
|17DISCUSSION GUIDE
Return to Homs
Homs protestors dance at the beginning of the revolution.
Photo courtesy of Proaction Film & Ventana Films
DISCUSSION PROMPTS
|18DISCUSSION GUIDE
Return to Homs
Resistance
The narrator says, “I can't judge if we did the right thing.”
What do you think?
Government opponents in Homs saw the Assad administra-
tion as corrupt and repressive. Given those circumstances,
how would you decide when and how to fight back?
Basset says, “We didn’t demand toppling the regime at first.
It was what we learned that changed us.” What did they
learn that pushed Basset and others like him from nonvio-
lent street protests to believing that, as he says later, “peace-
ful resistance is futile”? When street protests failed to spark
change, what were the alternatives?
From Basset’s perspective, “The world watches what is hap-
pening... how we’re getting killed, one by one... while it re-
mains as silent as a graveyard.” He even sings a song
expressing frustration with then head of the United Nations
Kofi Annan. What might Annan, the United Nations or other
nations have done that they did not do?
Ossama records video of a hospital that has been used as a
torture site. What are all the possible responses to a gov-
ernment that commits atrocities against its own people?
Clearly outgunned, the rebels want military aid. In your view,
should the United States or other nations provide arms or
commit their own military assets to the fight? What insights
did the film provide that influenced your answer to that
question?
Basset uses songs to inspire his followers. What role does
music play in political change movements? What songs have
inspired you?
Ossama, who hoped that his videos and photographs “would
shake the world to its core,” was presumably detained or
killed by Syrian authorities for filming them. What is it about
media coverage that repressive governments fear? What
contributions do fighters who take cameras into battle in-
stead of guns make?
The filmmaker notes that the rebels of Homs were “lured by
their small victories” but “lost the big battle.” What did you
learn from the film about how rebel armies are funded,
trained and supplied?
Basset takes aim on Assad forces.
Photo courtesy of Proaction Film & Ventana Films
DISCUSSION PROMPTS
|19DISCUSSION GUIDE
Return to Homs
After yet another battle in which people around him are
killed, Basset says, “I no longer have it in me to do this.”
When do anger and grief provide emotional fuel for the fight
and when are they a drain?
What did you learn from the film about the roles of creativ-
ity and courage in the development of rebel strategies?
Basset and his men are young. He is 19; Ossama is 24. What
are the benefits and drawbacks of having young people in
leadership positions? What does your community expect of
people this age?
Basset proudly says, “I don’t hide my face. I use my full name,
and I am here and against the Syrian regime.” How does re-
vealing his identity potentially strengthen and also weaken
his effectiveness as a fighter and leader?
In the film, we see very few women depicted. Why do you
think that might be? How does this compare to other media
representations of the war in Syria (or wars in general)? Do
women have a visible role? Why do you think that is or is not
the case?
The future of Syria is uncertain, and though uprisings in
many Arab countries have brought about changes, a number
of those uprisings have also turned sour as countries transi-
tioned to new powers. What do you see as Syria’s options
for new leadership? If the choice is between a violent dicta-
torship and an intolerant theocracy, what are a country’s
prospects and how do the people choose? Can you think of
other examples of successful or unsuccessful changes in po-
litical rule? In times of political turmoil and conflict, how can
it be assured that a new party arises that brings peace and
addresses the needs of the country’s citizens?
Two boys in Homs.
Photo courtesy of Proaction Film & Ventana Films
DISCUSSION PROMPTS
|20DISCUSSION GUIDE
Return to Homs
Ideologies
From what you see in the film, what role does Basset’s faith
play in his life?
One of Basset’s songs says of the Syrian army, “The honor in
them is dead.” How are the rebels defining “honor”? How
does their definition compare to yours?
Basset says, “My dream is to become a martyr.” What is the
value of the concept of martyrdom to a resistance move-
ment? How is the Free Syrian Army’s commitment to mar-
tyrdom different than, say, that of a suicide bomber?
Basset risks his life to protect Homs. The film describes the
city as “precious,” noting that “nothing can compensate for
[its] loss.” What is the power of places, especially the places
we call “home”?
Basset says that the rebels just “want to live in dignity and
freedom” and he declares in song, “We’re ready to die for
freedom.” What values do you hold dear enough that you
would be willing to die for them?
Image and Perception
What did you learn from the film about the conflict in Syria
that wasn’t reported in the news? In what ways did the film
affirm or challenge what you knew about recent events in
Syria?
If you didn’t know that Basset and his men were fighting the
Syrian government, what would you think about them?
What would you assume they were doing? Who would you
assume they were targeting and why would you think that?
Ossama records early, nonviolent street protests in Homs.
How does the presence of people with digital cameras or
camera phones and their ability to upload and disseminate
their pictures influence protest movements, especially in
places like Syria, where formal media have been banned?
Given the danger, do you think that recording footage for
this film is worth the risk?
A crowd of protestors holding up peace signs.
Photo courtesy of Proaction Film & Ventana Films
Additional media literacy questions are available at:
www.pbs.org/pov/educators/media-literacy.php
Taking Action
• Host a teach-in or panel discussion on the history of the conflict in Syria,
how it relates to other conflicts in the region and how the U.S. should
respond.
• Investigate ways to help organizations that aid Syrian refugees.
• Invite a participant in the Arab Uprisings to talk about their experiences
(or read one of their accounts). Use what you learn to provide context for
the conflict in Syria.
|21DISCUSSION GUIDE
Return to Homs
FSA fighters rescue an injured comrade under heavy government fire.
Photo courtesy of Proaction Film & Ventana Films
Syrian Perspectives
ASHARQ AL-AWSAT: “FREE SYRIAN ARMY CHIEF ON
ISIS, GENEVA AND SYRIA’S CIVIL WAR”
www.aawsat.net/2013/10/article55319313/free-syrian-army-chief-on-isis-geneva-and-syrias-civil-war
This is a 2013 interview with the nominal leader of the Free
Syrian Army, General Salim Idris.
FREE SYRIAN ARMY
www.syrianarmyfree.net
The official site of the Free Syrian Army is in Arabic, but
its forums can be viewed in English using an online
translation program (e.g., Google translate).
STUDENTS ORGANIZE FOR SYRIA
www.organize4syria.com
The site for this solidarity organization of students who
support those fighting for freedom and democracy in
Syria includes ideas for advocacy and a downloadable fact
sheet: http://organize4syria.com/wp-
content/uploads/2015/01/Factsheet-Full-Page.pdf .
SYRIAN ARAB NEWS AGENCY
http://sana.sy/en
The English version of the Syrian government news
outlet’s website provides coverage of the conflict from the
perspective of the Assad administration.
SYRIA DEEPLY
www.syriadeeply.org
An independent digital media project dedicated to
the conflict in Syria.
SYRIAN OBSERVATORY FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
http://syriahr.com/en
The website of a Britain-based collective of pro-
democracy people inside and outside Syria aggregates
news stories and reports on human rights in Syria.
SYRIA UNTOLD
www.syriauntold.com/en/about-syria-untold
Through this independent media project, a team of Syrian
writers, journalists, programmers and designers living in
the country and abroad explore the Syrian struggle and
diverse forms of resistance.
Outside Perspectives
COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS:
“BACKGROUNDER: SYRIA’S CRISIS
AND THE GLOBAL RESPONSE.”
http://www.cfr.org/syria/syrias-crisis-global-response/p28402
An overview on the conflict and Syria, and international re-
sponses.
INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF WAR: “THE FREE
SYRIAN ARMY”
www.understandingwar.org/report/free-syrian-army
This March 2013 report considers the history and status of
the Free Syrian Army from the perspective of a non-
partisan public policy research institute focused on the
development of U.S. military strategy.
RESOURCES
|22DISCUSSION GUIDE
Return to Homs
FILMMAKER WEBSITE
www.returntohoms.com
The film’s official website offers information about the film and the experiences of those who made it.
Original Online Content on POV To enhance the broadcast, POV has produced an interactive website to enable viewers to explore the film in greater
depth. The Return to Homs website—www.pbs.org/pov/returntohoms — offers a streaming video trailer for the film;
an interview with the filmmaker; a list of related websites, articles and books; a downloadable discussion guide; a
standards-aligned lesson plan; a downloadable reading list; and special features.
THE GUARDIAN: “ARAB SPRING: AN INTERACTIVE
TIMELINE OF MIDDLE EAST PROTESTS”
www.theguardian.com/world/interactive/2011/mar/22/middle-east-protest-interactive-timeline
This timeline of the events of the Arab Uprisings and
government responses includes events in Syria.
UNITED NATIONS INDEPENDENT
INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION OF INQUIRY
ON THE SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC
www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/IICISyria/Pages/IndependentInternationalCommission.aspx
This website provides reports on the Syrian conflict from
the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE:
“U.S. RELATIONS WITH SYRIA”
www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3580.htm
This official U.S. government website offers an overview of
U.S.-Syrian relations, including a set of links to additional
information on Syria.
RESOURCES
|23DISCUSSION GUIDE
Return to Homs
The city of Homs.
Photo courtesy of Proaction Film & Ventana Films
HOW TO BUY THE FILM
To order Return to Homs, visit http://www.returntohoms.com/---!sales
The See it On PBS logo is a trademark of the Public Broadcasting Service and is used with permission. All rights reserved.
Produced by American Documentary, Inc., POV is public televi-
sion's premier showcase for nonfiction films. The series airs Mon-
days at 10 p.m. on PBS from June to September, with primetime
specials during the year. Since 1988, POV has been the home for
the world's boldest contemporary filmmakers, celebrating intrigu-
ing personal stories that spark conversation and inspire action. Al-
ways an innovator, POV discovers fresh new voices and creates
interactive experiences that shine a light on social issues and ele-
vate the art of storytelling. With our documentary broadcasts,
original online programming and dynamic community engage-
ment campaigns, we are committed to supporting films that cap-
ture the imagination and present diverse perspectives.
POV films have won 32 Emmy® Awards, 18 George Foster
Peabody Awards, 12 Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Awards,
three Academy Awards®, the first-ever George Polk Documen-
tary Film Award and the Prix Italia. The POV series has been hon-
ored with a Special News & Documentary Emmy Award for
Excellence in Television Documentary Filmmaking, two IDA
Awards for Best Continuing Series and the National Association
of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP) Award for Corporate
Commitment to Diversity. More information is available at
www.pbs.org/pov.
POV Digital www.pbs.org/pov
Since 1994, POV Digital has driven new storytelling initiatives
and interactive production for POV. The department created
PBS's first program website and its first web-based documen-
tary (POV's Borders) and has won major awards, including a
Webby Award (and six nominations) and an Online News Asso-
ciation Award. POV Digital continues to explore the future of in-
dependent nonfiction media through its digital productions and
the POV Hackathon lab, where media makers and technologists
collaborate to reinvent storytelling forms. @povdocs on Twitter.
POV Community Engagement and Education
POV's Community Engagement and Education team works with
educators, community organizations and PBS stations to pres-
ent more than 650 free screenings every year. In addition, we
distribute free discussion guides and standards-aligned lesson
plans for each of our films. With our community partners, we in-
spire dialogue around the most important social issues of our
time.
American Documentary, Inc. www.amdoc.org
American Documentary, Inc. (AmDoc) is a multimedia company
dedicated to creating, identifying and presenting contemporary
stories that express opinions and perspectives rarely featured in
mainstream media outlets. AmDoc is a catalyst for public cul-
ture, developing collaborative strategic engagement activities
around socially relevant content on television, online and in com-
munity settings. These activities are designed to trigger action,
from dialogue and feedback to educational opportunities and
community participation.
Major funding for POV is provided by PBS, The John D. and
Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the John S. and James L.
Knight Foundation, Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and
National Endowment for the Arts. Additional funding comes
from Nancy Blachman and David desJardins, Bertha Foundation,
The Fledgling Fund, Marguerite Casey Foundation, Ettinger
Foundation, New York State Council on the Arts, New York City
Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Coun-
cil, Ann Tenenbaum and Thomas H. Lee, and public television
viewers. POV is presented by a consortium of public television
stations, including KQED San Francisco, WGBH Boston and
THIRTEEN in association with WNET.ORG.
You can follow us on Twitter @POVengage for the latest news from
POV Community Engagement & Education.
Media Sponsor:
Front cover: Protagonist Basset Al-Sarout rests in a bombedout apartment building in shattered Homs. Photo courtesy of Proaction Film & Ventana Films
top related