Homs a Film by Talal Derki

POV Community Engagement & Education DISCUSSION GUIDE

Return to Homs A Film by Talal Derki

www.pbs.org/pov 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, Filmmaker Talal Derki. the loss of people close to us, the injustice, the fragmentation. Photo courtesy of Proaction Film & Ventana Films However, Abdul Basset was strong and very solid; he was and still is persistent.

Talal Derki Director/Writer, Return to Homs

DISCUSSION GUIDE Return to Homs |2 TABLE OF CONTENTS CREDITS

2 Letter from the Filmmaker Writer 4 Introduction Faith Rogow, PhD 5 Potential Partners Insighters Educational Consulting

5 Key Issues Background Research and Reporting 5 Using This Guide Margaret Brown 6 A Note About Examining Ongoing Conflicts Guide Producers and Background Research, POV 6 Background Information Eliza Licht 6 Religious Demographics in Syria Vice President, Content Strategy and Engagement , POV 7 Sectarian Divides Aubrey Gallegos Manager, Community Engagement and Education, POV 8 History of Syria, Pre-2011 Alice Quinlan 10 Civil War in Syria, 2011-Present Assistant, Community Engagement and Education, POV 12 Homs in Ruins Camille Borders 13 Journalism Under Fire Intern, Community Engagement and Education, POV

14 Timeline of Events Isaac J. Park 16 Selected People Featured Intern, Community Engagement and Education, POV in Return to Homs Design: 17 General Discussion Questions Rafael Jiménez 18 Discussion Prompts 21 Taking Action Copy Editor: 22 Resources Natalie Danford 24 How to Buy the Film Thanks to those who reviewed this guide:

Christa Salamandra Associate Professor of Anthropology, Lehman College and the Graduate Center, The City University of New York

DISCUSSION GUIDE Return to Homs |3 INTRODUCTION

Basset in a crowd of protesters. Shot between August 2011 and April 2013, Return to Homs Photo courtesy of Proaction Film & Ventana Films (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 - Return to Homs pierces the barricades of a besieged city. gents led by Abdul Basset Saroot, a charismatic, 19-year-old Viewers see the maze of hiding places behind the walls of Syrian soccer star. Like many of his peers, Basset began as bombed-out buildings, some of which are the insurgents’ a nonviolent protester seeking an end to the repressive poli - former homes. We see death in real time. And we feel the cies of the Assad government—part of Syria’s Arab Upris - frustration and anger when promises of support are broken ings, also known as the Arab Spring. The military’s lethal and the world seems to be ignoring calls for help. As an out - response ultimately led him to take up arms to defend his reach tool, this extraordinary documentary challenges us to city. ask, “Who is responsible for such suffering and what can we The film’s chronicle of optimism disintegrating into destruc - do to bring it to an end?” 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.

DISCUSSION GUIDE Return to Homs |4 POTENTIAL PARTNERS KEY ISSUES

Return to Homs is well suited for use in a variety of set - Return to Homs is an excellent tool for outreach and will tings and is especially recommended for use with: be of special interest to people looking to explore the following topics: • Your local PBS station • Groups that have discussed previous PBS and POV • Arab Uprisings/Arab Spring films relating to the Middle East, political protest • armed rebellion and/or armed rebellion, including The Oath, Point • civil war and Shoot, The Act of Killing, A World Not Ours, 5 • foreign policy Broken Cameras, The Brooklyn Connection, Granito: How to Nail a Dictator and Armadillo • Free Syrian Army • Groups focused on any of the issues listed in the • honor Key Issues section • human rights • High school students, youth groups and clubs • insurgents • Faith-based organizations and institutions • Islam • Cultural, art and historical organizations, • manhood institutions and museums • Middle East • Civic, fraternal and community groups • military strategy • Academic departments and student groups at • nonviolent protest colleges, universities and high schools • political change • Community organizations with a mission to • protest movements promote education and learning, such as local libraries • religious and political martyrdom • sectarianism • secularism • Syria • war • war crimes

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

DISCUSSION GUIDE Return to Homs |5 BACKGROUND INFORMATION

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.

A government tank drives through ruined Homs. Religious Demographics in Syria Photo courtesy of Proaction Film & Ventana Films 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. in Syria has progressed, the violence has taken on sectarian Sunni Muslims: Sunni Muslims account for an estimated undertones. Some opposition activists believe that President 7●4% of Syria’s population of 22 million people. Sunni Mus - Bashar al-Assad intends to create an entirely Alawite state. lims are a majority in most Arab countries. Sources: Alawite Muslims: Alawite Muslims make up an esti - Al Jazeera. “Q&A: Nir Rosen on Syria’s Protest Movement.” ●mated 12% of Syria’s population and hold a great deal of po - http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2012/02/ litical power; the presidential family, the Assad family, is 20122157654659323.html Alawite. BBC News. “Syria Profile.” Other: Christians make up an estimated 10% of the http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-14703856 p●opulation, Druze 3% and the remaining 1% consists of Shia Coutts, Adam. “Syria’s Uprising Could Have Been Avoided Through Muslims and other minority groups. Reform.” The Guardian , May 18, 2011. A majority of rebels in the opposition forces in the Syrian http://www.guardian.co.uk/vcommentisfree/2011/may/18/syria- Civil War are Sunni Muslims, whereas the military leadership uprising-reform-bashar-al-assad and government supporters are Alawite Muslims. However, Heneghan, Tom. “Syria’s Alawites Are Secretive, Unorthodox Sect.” there are also protesters from Druze, Christian and even Reuters, December 23, 2011. Alawite backgrounds, many calling for more political http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/23/us-syria-religion-alawites- rights, social reform and regime change. As the war idUSTRE7BM1J220111223

DISCUSSION GUIDE Return to Homs |6 BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Basset and others rushing an injured rebel to safety. MacFarquhar, Neil. “Arab League Votes to Suspend Syria Over Photo courtesy of Proaction Film & Ventana Films 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? Sectarian Divides pagewanted=all Though the war is increasingly divided along sectarian lines, MacFarquhar, Neil. “Hafez al-Assad, Who Turned Syria Into a Power in sectarianism has existed in Syria for decades and denotes 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 - political and socio-economic differences as much as it does syria-into-a-power-in-the-middle-east-dies-at-69.html?pagewanted=1 religious ones. Such divides have roots in the French Man - date (1920-1946), under which colonial governments ad - Mroue, Bassem and Zeina Karam. “Syrian Army Launches Heavy vanced minority groups such as Alawites and Christians to Barrage on City of Homs.” Associated Press, July 5, 2013. http://bigstory.ap.org/article/syrian-opposition-bloc-urges-world- positions of power in order to leverage control over the ter - protect-homs ritory’s Sunni majority.

PBS NewsHour. “Author and Activist Elie Wiesel: Syria Is ‘a The role of sectarianism in the Syrian Civil War is debated. Bloody Center of History.’” Some fear that discussions of religious differences only serve http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2012/02/elie-wiesel-on- to increase the divide, while others maintain that ignoring syria.html sectarianism leads to an oversimplification of the conflict. In

U.S. Department of State. “U.S. Relations With Syria.” avoiding discussions of sectarianism, critics argue, media http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3580.htm 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.

DISCUSSION GUIDE Return to Homs |7 BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Basset leads chants at an early protest. Sources: Photo courtesy of Proaction Film & Ventana Films Cockburn, Patrick. “All the Evidence Points to Sectarian Civil War in Syria, But No One Wants to Admit It.” The Independent , February 12, 2012. History of Syria, Pre-2011 http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/commentators/patrick- In 1916, with Ottoman rule on the wane, British and French cockburn-all-the-evidence-points-to-sectarian-civil-war-in-syria-but-no- one-wants-to-admit-it-6785682.html powers took control of the Levant region to form the French Mandate over what is now Syria and Lebanon, while paying Salamandra, Christa. “Reflections on Not Writing About the Syrian little attention to ethnic or religious divisions. In the after - Conflict.” Jadaliyya , February 5, 2014. math of World War I and the weakening of the Ottoman Em - http://www.jadaliyya.com/pages/index/1:6290/reflections-on-not- writing-about-the-syrian-conflict pire, Syria functioned as a French protectorate heading toward independence. That independence would become Urban, Mark. “Why There Is More to Syria Conflict than Sectarianism.” official in 1946, following World War II. The decades of the BBC News, June 4, 2013. 1950s and 1960s were marked by political instability and a http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-22770219 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

DISCUSSION GUIDE Return to Homs |8 BACKGROUND INFORMATION

FSA rebels mourn a fallen fighter inside the beseiged city. secular Ba’athists from within the party. He ruled Syria au - Photo courtesy of Proaction Film & Ventana Films tocratically from 1970 until his death in 2000.

Upon Hafez al-Assad’s death, his son Bashar al-Assad took BBC News. “Syria Profile.” power with 97% of the vote (there were no other candidates http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-14703856 listed on the ballot). Some expected Bashar al-Assad’s Central Intelligence Agency. “Syria.” regime to bring democratic reforms to the country, and www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/sy.html Bashar was referred to as the “hope of Syria.” At the begin - CNN. “Regime Backers Express Anger at Other Nations After Arab ning of his presidency, Bashar al-Assad did enact a number League Suspends Syria.” of small-scale changes, including healthcare reforms and a http://articles.cnn.com/2011-11-12/middleeast/world_meast_syria-unrest relaxation of media laws, but his administration continued _1_arab-league-bashar-al-assad-president-bashar?_s=PM:MIDDLEEAST his father’s legacy of security crackdowns and political nepo - Coutts, Adam. “Syria’s Uprising Could Have Been Avoided Through tism. As of 2011, Syria was a middle-income country with Reform.” The Guardian , May 18, 2011. strong economic growth and fiscal stability. However, the http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/may/18/ income gap in Syria widened between 2000 and 2011, and syria-uprising-reform-bashar-al-assad the rising poverty rate during these years was one of many Golovnina, Maria. “Asma al-Assad: A ‘Desert Rose’ Crushed by Syria’s factors that sparked pro-democracy protests in 2011, and the Strife.” Reuters, March 19, 2012. war to come. http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/19/us-syria-asma- idUSBRE82I0MB20120319 Sources: Kaphle, Anup. “Timeline: Unrest in Syria.” The Washington Post, Al Jazeera. “Q&A: Nir Rosen on Syria’s Protest Movement.” January 20, 2014. http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2012/02/ http://apps.washingtonpost.com/g/page/world/timeline-unrest-in- 20122157654659323.html syria/207/

DISCUSSION GUIDE Return to Homs |9 BACKGROUND INFORMATION

A shell explosion blasts smoke and dust MacFarquhar, Neil. “Arab League Votes to Suspend Syria Over above the Homs skyline. Crackdown.” The New York Times , November 12, 2011. Photo courtesy of Proaction Film & Ventana Films http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/13/world/middleeast/arab-league- votes-to-suspend-syria-over-its-crackdown-on-protesters.html?pagewa nted=all Civil War in Syria, 2011-Present 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. Beginning in Tunisia in 2010, the Arab Uprisings (also known http://www.nytimes.com/2000/06/11/world/hafez-al-assad-who-turned - as the “Arab Spring”) swept across the Middle East in a wave syria-into-a-power-in-the-middle-east-dies-at-69.html?pagewanted=1 of pro-democracy protests that effected change through -

MacFarquhar, Neil and Liam Stack. “Syrian Protesters Clash With out the region. Solidarity protests in Syria began in March Security Forces.” The New York Times , April 1, 2011. 2011 in the city of Daraa, and protests in Homs, Damascus, http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/02/world/middleeast/02syria.html?_r=0 Aleppo and Hama followed soon after. As depicted in Re - turn to Homs , the protests began as largely unarmed, peace - PBS NewsHour. “Author and Activist Elie Wiesel: Syria Is ‘a Bloody Center of History.’” ful rallies filled with music and catchy slogans, aimed at http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2012/02/elie-wiesel-on- obtaining democratic reforms and the release of political syria.html prisoners. The government security forces responded to the protests with violence, killing at least four civilians, and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. “Syria Crisis Common Context Analysis.” violence fueled calls for change and demands that President https://docs.unocha.org/sites/dms/Documents/Syria%20Crisis Bashar al-Assad resign. The protests became even more vi - %20Common%20Context%20Analysis_June%202014.pdf olent over time, and both sides have been accused of war crimes. Today, Syria is in a state of civil war and humanitar - U.S. Department of State. “U.S. Relations With Syria.” http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3580.htm 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

DISCUSSION GUIDE Return to Homs |10 BACKGROUND INFORMATION

civilian areas and to release its political prisoners. The Arab Sources: League formed a “monitoring mission” to assess the regime’s Barnard, Anne and Eric Schmitt. “As Foreign Fighters Flood Syria, response to its mandate. In late January 2012, the Arab Fears of a New Extremist Haven.” The New York Times , August 8, 2013. League suspended the mission due to a dramatic increase http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/09/world/middleeast/as-foreign- in violence. The diplomatic focus switched to the United Na - fighters-flood-syria-fears-of-a-new-extremist-haven.html?_r=2 tions Security Council with the hope that it would vote on a BBC News. “Islamist Rebels in Syria Reject National Coalition.” draft resolution for a quick transition to an interim govern - http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-24239779 ment. BBC News. “Syria Profile.” According to a 2014 report by the United Nations Office for http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-14703856. the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Syria has enacted BBC News. “Syria: The Story of the Conflict.” excessive force against its civilians over the course of the http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-26116868 past three years—deliberately trapping civilians and rebel Heilprin, John. “UN: Death Toll From Syrian Civil War Tops 191,000.” forces inside war-torn cities and withholding or blocking ac - USA Today , August 22, 2014. cess to humanitarian aid. Healthcare facilities have been tar - http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/08/22/united- gets of the regime, and medical staff members attempting nations-syria-death-toll/14429549/ to subvert government restrictions on care have been de - Institute for the Study of War. “Jihad in Syria. ” tained, tortured and killed. In 2013, the United Nations con - http://www.understandingwar.org/report/jihad-syria firmed that Assad had ordered the use of chemical weapons against both rebels and civilians, including children. Kelley, Michael B. “The U.S. Confirms That It Is Not Coordinating With the Free Syrian Army.” Business Insider , October 16, 2014. The main opposition to the Assad regime is offered by the http://www.businessinsider.com/the-us-has-officially-given-up-on-the- Syrian National Coalition. Based in Istanbul, the coalition free-syrian-army-2014-10 commands forces from abroad, though some local rebel Rebhy, Abdullah. “Syrian Opposition Groups Reach Unity Deal.” The groups have representatives within the coalition. The Syrian Seattle Times , November 12, 2012. National Coalition was founded in 2012 in an attempt to or - http://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/ ganize a more cohesive force against the Assad regime; syrian-opposition-groups-reach-unity-deal/ however, the opposition remains fractured. Although more Selo, Lava. “The U.N. Has Stopped Counting, But Syrians Keep Dying.” than 100 countries have recognized the Syrian National Parallels , January 12, 2014. Coalition as the legitimate representative of the opposition, http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2014/01/12/261059900/ in reality, there are as many as 1,000 separate rebel groups the-u-n-has-stopped-counting-but-syrians-keep-dying commanding more than 100,000 fighters. The lack of unity Sterling, Joe. “Daraa: The Spark That Lit the Syrian Flame.” CNN, within the opposition has hindered its ability to fight against March 1, 2012. Assad’s military regime and has prevented international sup - http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/01/world/meast/syria-crisis-beginnings/ porters from providing aid effectively. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. “More Than Four The United States was slow to provide aid to opposition Million Syrians Have Now Fled War and Persecution.” forces in Syria not only due to fractured leadership, but also http://www.unhcr.org/559d648a9.html in part due to concerns about increasingly militant influences United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. on Syrian rebel forces. Although Return to Homs depicts a “Syria Crisis Common Context Analysis.” situation in which the opposition began as a secular re - https://docs.unocha.org/sites/dms/Documents/ sponse to an oppressive government, as the conflict has Syria%20Crisis%20Common%20Context%20Analysis_June%202014.pdf progressed, a more radical Islamist presence has emerged. United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. This presence has led to international concern over the fu - “Syrian Arab Republic.” ture of a Syrian state if rebel forces emerge victorious. http://www.unocha.org/syria. 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.

DISCUSSION GUIDE Return to Homs |11 BACKGROUND INFORMATION

A section of Homs, destroyed in the conflict. Homs in Ruins Photo courtesy of Proaction Film & Ventana Films 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 Sources: experienced some of the worst violence of any Syrian city. In 2012, the Syrian military conducted two major military oper - Al Jazeera. “Timeline of Syria’s Raging War.” ations in the city of Homs, killing an estimated 700 civilians, http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/interactive/ 2012/02/201225111654512841.html many of whom were children. Although the military re - claimed the district of Bab Amr in Homs, 15 to 20 percent of BBC News. “Homs: Syrian Revolution’s Fallen ‘Capital.’” Homs was under opposition control through the end of 2012. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-15625642

In 2013, opposition forces in Homs received an influx of BBC News. “Syria Conflict: Government Troops Retake Homs Old City.” http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-27323736 weapons and outside support, but siege warfare conducted by the military forced rebels to lose ground, and Homs fell to Mroue, Bassem and Zeina Karam. “Syrian Army Launches Heavy government forces in May 2014. After a siege surrounding Barrage on City of Homs.” Associated Press, July 5, 2013. the Old City that trapped 3,000 people in the city with no http://bigstory.ap.org/article/syrian-opposition-bloc-urges-world- access to food or medicine, teams from the United Nations protect-homs 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.

DISCUSSION GUIDE Return to Homs |12 BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Basset leads chants at an early protest. Journalism Under Fire Photo courtesy of Proaction Film & Ventana Films 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 out, and filmmakers were labeled terrorists. Cameras were world for media workers at present, and the second most often dismantled and hidden in car chassis to get past deadly country overall for journalists in the past 20 years. In checkpoints, then reassembled. Videographers recharged Return to Homs , we meet Ossama al-Homsi (a pseudonym phones and laptops from car batteries and portable gener - that means “Ossama of Homs”), a media activist and friend ators. Footage was smuggled out of the war zone at great of Abdul Basset Saroot. Ossama went missing in 2012, and risk. today his whereabouts are unknown. At least 20 other media workers have gone missing while reporting on the conflict. Sources:

In 2011, Syrian president Bashar al-Assad introduced a num - Committee to Protect Journalists. “International Journalists Killed at ber of reforms intended to appease the pro-democracy pro - High Rate in 2014; Middle East Deadliest Region.” testers, including the loosening of some Internet and media https://cpj.org/reports/2014/12/international-journalists-killed-at-high- restrictions. However, the new media law maintained old re - rate-in-2014-middle-east-deadliest-region-for-press.php strictions on foreign journalists. In the ensuing years of war United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. and violence, there have been media blackouts, and journal - “Syria Crisis Common Context Analysis.” ists have been specific targets of the Syrian government. https://docs.unocha.org/sites/dms/Documents/Syria%20Crisis%20 Professional journalists, alongside citizen bloggers, have Common%20Context%20Analysis_June%202014.pdf been detained, tortured and killed in the government’s at - Ziv, Stav. “Report: 60 Journalists Killed in 2014, Syria Deadliest tempt to control the media. Country.” Newsweek , December 23, 2014. Making Return to Homs was a dangerous endeavor for http://www.newsweek.com/report-60-journalists-killed-2014-syria- deadliest-country-294328 the filmmakers. The regime enforced a news black -

DISCUSSION GUIDE Return to Homs |13 BACKGROUND INFORMATION

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. S●yrian 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 s●tep 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 s●iege. 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. ●

DISCUSSION GUIDE Return to Homs |14 BACKGROUND INFORMATION

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 w● ar. 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 c●andidate 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

DISCUSSION GUIDE Return to Homs |15 SELECT PEOPLE

Selected People Featured in Return to Homs

Abdul Basset Saroot Ossama al-Homsi A 19-year-old goalkeeper for the Syrian National Youth Soccer A 24-year-old journalist who films the early stages of rebellion. Team who becomes a rebel leader in the city of Homs. He is shot and later is “disappeared.”

Talal Derki The director and narrator of the film.

DISCUSSION GUIDE Return to Homs |16 GENERAL DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Homs protestors dance at the beginning of the revolution. Immediately after the film, you may want to give people a Photo courtesy of Proaction Film & Ventana Films 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?

DISCUSSION GUIDE Return to Homs |17 DISCUSSION PROMPTS

Basset takes aim on Assad forces. Resistance Photo courtesy of Proaction Film & Ventana Films 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 - Clearly outgunned, the rebels want military aid. In your view, tion as corrupt and repressive. Given those circumstances, should the United States or other nations provide arms or how would you decide when and how to fight back? commit their own military assets to the fight? What insights

Basset says, “We didn’t demand toppling the regime at first. did the film provide that influenced your answer to that It was what we learned that changed us.” What did they question? learn that pushed Basset and others like him from nonvio - Basset uses songs to inspire his followers. What role does lent street protests to believing that, as he says later, “peace - music play in political change movements? What songs have ful resistance is futile”? When street protests failed to spark inspired you? change, what were the alternatives? Ossama, who hoped that his videos and photographs “would From Basset’s perspective, “The world watches what is hap - shake the world to its core,” was presumably detained or pening... how we’re getting killed, one by one... while it re - killed by Syrian authorities for filming them. What is it about mains as silent as a graveyard.” He even sings a song media coverage that repressive governments fear? What expressing frustration with then head of the United Nations contributions do fighters who take cameras into battle in - Kofi Annan. What might Annan, the United Nations or other stead of guns make? nations have done that they did not do? The filmmaker notes that the rebels of Homs were “lured by Ossama records video of a hospital that has been used as a their small victories” but “lost the big battle.” What did you torture site. What are all the possible responses to a gov - learn from the film about how rebel armies are funded, ernment that commits atrocities against its own people? trained and supplied?

DISCUSSION GUIDE Return to Homs |18 DISCUSSION PROMPTS

Two boys in Homs. After yet another battle in which people around him are Photo courtesy of Proaction Film & Ventana Films 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 - The future of Syria is uncertain, and though uprisings in ity and courage in the development of rebel strategies? many Arab countries have brought about changes, a number of those uprisings have also turned sour as countries transi - Basset and his men are young. He is 19; Ossama is 24. What tioned to new powers. What do you see as Syria’s options are the benefits and drawbacks of having young people in for new leadership? If the choice is between a violent dicta - leadership positions? What does your community expect of torship and an intolerant theocracy, what are a country’s people this age? prospects and how do the people choose? Can you think of Basset proudly says, “I don’t hide my face. I use my full name, other examples of successful or unsuccessful changes in po - and I am here and against the Syrian regime.” How does re - litical rule? In times of political turmoil and conflict, how can vealing his identity potentially strengthen and also weaken it be assured that a new party arises that brings peace and his effectiveness as a fighter and leader? addresses the needs of the country’s citizens? 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?

DISCUSSION GUIDE Return to Homs |19 DISCUSSION PROMPTS

A crowd of protestors holding up peace signs. Ideologies Photo courtesy of Proaction Film & Ventana Films From what you see in the film, what role does Basset’s faith play in his life? Image and Perception One of Basset’s songs says of the Syrian army, “The honor in What did you learn from the film about the conflict in Syria them is dead.” How are the rebels defining “honor”? How that wasn’t reported in the news? In what ways did the film does their definition compare to yours? affirm or challenge what you knew about recent events in Basset says, “My dream is to become a martyr.” What is the Syria? value of the concept of martyrdom to a resistance move - If you didn’t know that Basset and his men were fighting the ment? How is the Free Syrian Army’s commitment to mar - Syrian government, what would you think about them? tyrdom different than, say, that of a suicide bomber? What would you assume they were doing? Who would you Basset risks his life to protect Homs. The film describes the assume they were targeting and why would you think that? city as “precious,” noting that “nothing can compensate for Ossama records early, nonviolent street protests in Homs. [its] loss.” What is the power of places, especially the places How does the presence of people with digital cameras or we call “home”? camera phones and their ability to upload and disseminate Basset says that the rebels just “want to live in dignity and their pictures influence protest movements, especially in freedom” and he declares in song, “We’re ready to die for places like Syria, where formal media have been banned? freedom.” What values do you hold dear enough that you Given the danger, do you think that recording footage for would be willing to die for them? this film is worth the risk?

Additional media literacy questions are available at: www.pbs.org/pov/educators/media-literacy.php

DISCUSSION GUIDE Return to Homs |20 FSA fighters rescue an injured comrade under heavy government fire. Photo courtesy of Proaction Film & Ventana Films

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.

DISCUSSION GUIDE Return to Homs |21 RESOURCES

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.

Syrian Perspectives SYRIAN OBSERVATORY FOR HUMAN RIGHTS http://syriahr.com/en ASHARQ AL-AWSAT: “FREE SYRIAN ARMY CHIEF ON The website of a Britain-based collective of pro- ISIS, GENEVA AND SYRIA’S CIVIL WAR” democracy people inside and outside Syria aggregates www.aawsat.net/2013/10/article55319313/free-syrian- news stories and reports on human rights in Syria. army-chief-on-isis-geneva-and-syrias-civil-war This is a 2013 interview with the nominal leader of the Free SYRIA UNTOLD Syrian Army, General Salim Idris. www.syriauntold.com/en/about-syria-untold Through this independent media project, a team of Syrian FREE SYRIAN ARMY writers, journalists, programmers and designers living in www.syrianarmyfree.net the country and abroad explore the Syrian struggle and The official site of the Free Syrian Army is in Arabic, but diverse forms of resistance. its forums can be viewed in English using an online translation program (e.g., Google translate). Outside Perspectives STUDENTS ORGANIZE FOR SYRIA www.organize4syria.com COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS: The site for this solidarity organization of students who “BACKGROUNDER: SYRIA’S CRISIS support those fighting for freedom and democracy in AND THE GLOBAL RESPONSE.” Syria includes ideas for advocacy and a downloadable fact http://www.cfr.org/syria/syrias-crisis-global- response/p28402 sheet: http://organize4syria.com/wp- content/uploads/2015/01/Factsheet-Full-Page.pdf . An overview on the conflict and Syria, and international responses. SYRIAN ARAB NEWS AGENCY http://sana.sy/en INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF WAR: “THE FREE SYRIAN ARMY” The English version of the Syrian government news outlet’s website provides coverage of the conflict from the www.understandingwar.org/report/free-syrian-army perspective of the Assad administration. This March 2013 report considers the history and status of the Free Syrian Army from the perspective of a non- SYRIA DEEPLY partisan public policy research institute focused on the www.syriadeeply.org development of U.S. military strategy. An independent digital media project dedicated to the conflict in Syria.

DISCUSSION GUIDE Return to Homs |22 RESOURCES

The city of Homs. THE GUARDIAN: “ARAB SPRING: AN INTERACTIVE Photo courtesy of Proaction Film & Ventana Films 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 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE: government responses includes events in Syria. “U.S. RELATIONS WITH SYRIA” www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3580.htm UNITED NATIONS INDEPENDENT This official U.S. government website offers an overview of INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION OF INQUIRY U.S.-Syrian relations, including a set of links to additional ON THE SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC information on Syria. 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.

DISCUSSION GUIDE Return to Homs |23 HOW TO BUY THE FILM

To order Return to Homs, visit http://www.returntohoms.com/---!sales

Produced by American Documentary, Inc., POV is public televi- POV Community Engagement and Education sion's premier showcase for nonfiction films. The series airs Mon- POV's Community Engagement and Education team works with days at 10 p.m. on PBS from June to September, with primetime educators, community organizations and PBS stations to pres- specials during the year. Since 1988, POV has been the home for ent more than 650 free screenings every year. In addition, we the world's boldest contemporary filmmakers, celebrating intrigu- distribute free discussion guides and standards-aligned lesson ing personal stories that spark conversation and inspire action. Al- plans for each of our films. With our community partners, we in- ways an innovator, POV discovers fresh new voices and creates spire dialogue around the most important social issues of our interactive experiences that shine a light on social issues and ele- time. vate the art of storytelling. With our documentary broadcasts, original online programming and dynamic community engage- American Documentary, Inc. www.amdoc.org ment campaigns, we are committed to supporting films that cap- American Documentary, Inc. (AmDoc) is a multimedia company ture the imagination and present diverse perspectives. dedicated to creating, identifying and presenting contemporary POV films have won 32 Emmy® Awards, 18 George Foster stories that express opinions and perspectives rarely featured in Peabody Awards, 12 Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Awards, mainstream media outlets. AmDoc is a catalyst for public cul- three Academy Awards®, the first-ever George Polk Documen- ture, developing collaborative strategic engagement activities tary Film Award and the Prix Italia. The POV series has been hon- around socially relevant content on television, online and in com- ored with a Special News & Documentary Emmy Award for munity settings. These activities are designed to trigger action, Excellence in Television Documentary Filmmaking, two IDA from dialogue and feedback to educational opportunities and Awards for Best Continuing Series and the National Association community participation. of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP) Award for Corporate Commitment to Diversity. More information is available at Major funding for POV is provided by PBS, The John D. and www.pbs.org/pov. Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the John S. and James L. POV Digital www.pbs.org/pov Knight Foundation, Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and National Endowment for the Arts. Additional funding comes Since 1994, POV Digital has driven new storytelling initiatives from Nancy Blachman and David desJardins, Bertha Foundation, and interactive production for POV. The department created The Fledgling Fund, Marguerite Casey Foundation, Ettinger PBS's first program website and its first web-based documen- Foundation, New York State Council on the Arts, New York City tary (POV's Borders) and has won major awards, including a Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Coun- Webby Award (and six nominations) and an Online News Asso- cil, Ann Tenenbaum and Thomas H. Lee, and public television ciation Award. POV Digital continues to explore the future of in- viewers. POV is presented by a consortium of public television dependent nonfiction media through its digital productions and stations, including KQED San Francisco, WGBH Boston and the POV Hackathon lab, where media makers and technologists THIRTEEN in association with WNET.ORG. collaborate to reinvent storytelling forms. @povdocs on Twitter.

You can follow us on Twitter @POVengage Front cover: Protagonist Basset Al-Sarout rests in a bombed for the latest news from out apartment building in shattered Homs. Photo courtesy of Proaction Film & Ventana Films POV Community Engagement & Education.

Media Sponsor: