Last Men in Aleppo

After five years of war in Syria, the remaining citizens of Aleppo are getting ready for a siege. “Last Men in Aleppo” by Feras Fayyad takes us inside the brutal, daily challenges of civilians living under constant, random, and merciless attacks. The White Helmets, a civilian volunteer force, rushes to each bombing in the hope of extracting survivors buried under rubble. Moments of hope and unselfish courage are punctured by unspeakable tragedy. Yet, despite what seems like lives lived in constant fear, the film shows the resilience of the people of Aleppo, who gather in parks with their children in the intermittent breaks in attacks, squeezing small moments of joy out of a hopeless situation. Among the men the story follows are Khaled, a father who strives to care for his young children while helping others in need. And there’s Mahmoud, a young man who performs his work with grave precision as he faces eminent danger. Throughout, the White Helmets reveal their resilience and bravery in the face of daily carnage. The filmmakers, who are native to the region, have created an unflinching, beautiful story that reflects the heart and humanity of their subjects. “Last Men in Aleppo” allows viewers to experience the daily life, death, and struggle in the streets through the eyes of these volunteer rescue workers as they fight for sanity in a city where war has become the norm. For an incomparable story about a group of people committed to their fellow citizens, “Last Men in Aleppo” receives a Peabody Award.