We Connected With Women Who Wanted Their Voices Heard: Louis Sayad DeCaprio on His Film "A Syrian Woman"
Director Louis Sayad DeCaprio is a commercial and documentary filmmaker with a passion for sharing global stories of human perseverance in the face of trauma. His latest project was co-directed with Khawla Al Hammouri and depicts firsthand accounts of the refugee crisis by eight Syrian women living in Jordan.
Eight Syrian women living in Jordan recount their personal stories of trauma, survival, and resilience amid the ever-changing refugee crisis.
The film is the recipient of IndieFEST's “Award of Excellence: Documentary,” and was screened by UNICEF NextGen in New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. We had the opportunity to chat with Louis about his film, his process locating and interviewing his subjects, the origins of his love for storytelling, and much much more.
The film shares the experiences of eight different Syrian women, but there are thousands of refugees who have a story. What were you looking for in your subjects and how did you go about casting the eight women we see in the film?
All eight of the women in the film are survivors. One aspect of the situation Khawla and I came to understand is that the crisis represents a moment of generational change. Many families have lost their husbands and male family members, and a major effect of this is that women are becoming the primary providers and decision-makers for themselves and their families for the first time. An image emerged of a new generation of Syrians raised solely by women. These were the families we wanted to meet.
We connected with women who wanted their voices heard. UNICEF helped us reach families in the largest and the most remote refugee camps. As a local producer, Khawla also sought out refugee families across northern Jordan. We wanted to be with our subjects wherever they felt most comfortable and empowered, and once trust was established, it became somewhat easier to identify new interview prospects. Everyone we spoke to had very diverse backgrounds and experiences.
How much time did you spend with each subject, and what was your approach to capturing their story?
Often, we would spend the whole day with just one family. We’d chat with them over the phone first. Sometimes needed to travel substantial distances to more remote areas. Upon arrival, we would make sure they were comfortable with the camera and equipment. We spent a great deal of time just getting to know everyone — whoever was home — before the camera was ever introduced. We drank a lot of coffee, as is the custom when guests are over. Sometimes we took breaks from filming, just to talk and meet others in the family. Sharing and learning take time.
Due to the emotional heaviness of a lot of these stories, I can imagine that it was hard for a lot of these women to open up and be candid. Not only did you get a very natural response from your subjects, but you got them to tell their stories with an element of poetry. What’s your process for interviewing subjects, and do you have any tips for getting people to open up?
Many were hesitant due to the conservative, cultural stigma of participating in a project like this. Some feared their loved ones who remained in Syria might face repercussions for their having participated. Others were tired of their depiction in foreign media, and still, others simply did not want to relive the trauma of their experiences. So the request to film was often met with skepticism in the beginning. We made every effort to ensure that our subjects felt safe, protected and comfortable on camera. It was particularly important on this shoot, we felt, to have a tight-knit and predominantly female crew that was local to Amman. I think that made a big difference. Khawla was so good at putting everyone at ease. She and I would discuss our approach ahead of time. Then, when we got into the room with our subjects, I’d take a step back and appear only as a cameraperson, while she ran the interview. We shared a sort of shorthand to communicate when we wanted to redirect an ongoing interview or dive deeper with a subject.
You must have seen and heard so many astonishing and heartbreaking things, but what was the most surprising or life-changing thing you encountered during the production?
The fact that we now also have an entire generation of Syrians that have known nothing but war and the inside or refugee camps and you have a future for this population that is likely to be completely different from any previously held assumptions. I don’t think most grasp the consequences, and how this shapes the generation to come.
In addition to documentary, you’ve also worked on commercials and television shows in various positions other than director. How did those other mediums and production jobs influence your approach to filmmaking?
It’s all storytelling. We came in with a strong sense of the central idea we wanted to explore, but our approach evolved as the scope grew. We rediscovered the film with each new interview, and again in the editing room. A lot of compelling material ended up on the cutting room floor. Ultimately, we wanted to touch on many topics, while keeping the impact of a universal theme. A balance between focus and nuance was key. For me, each new project is informed by previous jobs, regardless of the format. But the most important takeaway is the importance of collaboration. It’s all about the team. Our amazing producers, Liz Charky and Nagham Osman, and our editor, Hany Hawasly, deserve a lot of credit for their efforts in shaping the final piece.
As a filmmaker, you have a passion for telling empowering and inspirational stories from around the globe. Where did that passion originate, and how have these stories shaped the person you’ve become?
My mother Syrian in background. I was raised in a Syrian-American household. We’ve watched as the crisis developed, and I felt compelled to get more directly involved in the best way I knew how. Displaced Syrians are overwhelmingly represented as numbers, not people. It was very important to me to approach the crisis from a place of compassion and understanding. It is only one of many humanitarian crises around the world. Global displacement is sadly not unique to the Syrian war. This whole experience has made me want to tell more empowering stories like this one. Right now, during times of such extreme changes, I think it’s important to share stories that inspire more empathy and awareness.
What do you hope audiences take away from the film?
At the core of any crisis there is a human experience underneath all the noise. We wanted a glimpse of the full scope of what women face on a daily basis. It may seem simple, but the belief that women can do anything is still a radical notion within a region that remains so traditionally patriarchal. The women in the film stand as role models for the next generation, carrying hope in the midst of incredible adversity. They are capable and ambitious trailblazers, and the film is a celebration of their resilience and resolve. It is about personal transformation and leadership.
What can people do to help these women in need?
These women need resources and support to succeed and survive. Our film’s website highlights a few organizations on the frontlines, including UNICEF. The work they do is truly astounding. They can make a difference for countless lives with the right support. Other than donating, the best thing anyone can do is continue to raise more awareness of these issues.
Do you have any other projects in the works that you can share with us?
Separate from A Syrian Woman, there are a few new projects, documentary and scripted, currently in works, with another project initially slated to shoot this summer in the Middle East.
Our team has been watching the current worldwide health crisis closely.
For now, you can check out the film’s website asyrianwoman-film.com to connect with us and learn more. You can also follow our Instagram @asyrianwoman and stay updated on where we’ll be sharing the film next.
What do you think? We want to know. Share your thoughts and feelings in the comments section below, and as always, remember to viddy well!