Return to Homs

Return to Homs is a unique insight into the daily lives of those who sacrifice themselves to fight the army of Bashar al-Assad. We follow the cameraman Ossama and his good friend Basset, the former goalkeeper of the Syrian national football team and the man behind the most famous revolutionary songs in Syria. They were among the first who went out into the streets to demonstrate against the regime in 2011 when riots broke out. The hope they had back then is gradually turned to cynicism and disillusionment. Eventually they realize that this fight cannot be won without weapons. The film is impressive because it comes extremely close to the most dangerous fighting. In addition, it penetrates the macho surface of Basset and Ossama and reveals the vulnerability of the young revolutionaries. Return to Homs is an essential film for anyone who wants to understand what everyday life looks like in Syria, and why peaceful protesters feel pressured to resort to arms.

“Return To Homs consciously follows in the footsteps of such fictional classics as Gillo Pontecorvo's Battle of Algiers (1966).” - The Hollywood Reporter

After the screening on 5th of April, there will be a talk on the recent development in Syria with political scientist and arabist François Burgat from Centre national de la recherche scientifique in Aix-en-Provence in France and the director of Peace Research Institute of Oslo (PRIO), Kristian Berg Harpviken. The event is organised in cooperation with Institut français and the University of Oslo.

After the screening on 6th of April, there will be a talk with researcher Cecilie Hellestveit at International Law and Policy Institute (ILPI) and journalist Pål Refsdal. The debate will be moderated by journalist Sidsel Wold. The event is organised in cooperation with Oslo Dokumentarkino.