Syrian filmmaker Waad Al-Kateab, renowned for her documentary For Sama, recently expressed renewed hope for Syria following significant political changes, including the end of the Assad family's decades-long rule. She stated that this moment feels different, offering a chance for rebuilding and emphasizing the importance of justice and dignity. Al-Kateab highlighted the challenges of ongoing control by various factions in liberated areas but noted positive shifts in their commitment to revolutionary principles.
Despite past normalization of Assad’s regime by some countries, Al-Kateab believes this turning point could signal the start of Syria reclaiming its future. However, she also underscored the risks posed by geopolitical interference and the need for international solidarity with the Syrian people’s aspirations
VWaad Al-Kateab's optimism about Syria's future comes amidst a shifting political landscape where she sees potential for the end of Bashar al-Assad's regime to mark the beginning of a new chapter for the country. Speaking as both a filmmaker and an activist, she reflected on the resilience of the Syrian people, emphasizing their long struggle for justice and dignity despite years of conflict, displacement, and international political challenges.
She highlighted the mixed reactions to Assad's apparent political decline, particularly in the face of ongoing violence and the influence of foreign powers. Al-Kateab criticized normalization efforts by some nations toward Assad's regime, which she believes undermined revolutionary ideals. Nonetheless, she pointed to growing accountability movements and a reinvigoration of Syrian civil society as reasons for cautious hope.