Syria Submits Doc 'The Other Side of the Sun' for 2027 Oscars
Key Takeaways
- Syria selected 'The Other Side of the Sun' as its 2027 Oscar entry.
- It is Syria's first Oscar submission since the fall of the Assad regime.
- The documentary explores the horrors of Saidnaya prison through survivors.
- Icarus Films acquired the U.S. distribution rights for the film.
Syria has chosen Tawfik Sabouni’s documentary "The Other Side of the Sun" to represent the country in the best international feature film category at the 2027 Academy Awards. This marks Syria's first Oscar submission since the fall of Bashar Assad's regime in December 2024.
The film follows director Tawfik Sabouni returning to Damascus after the regime's collapse to meet former detainees of the notorious Saidnaya prison. Utilizing reenactments within the prison, the documentary transforms memory into testimony regarding survival and resilience.
Alongside the Oscar selection, the film secured U.S. distribution rights with Icarus Films. The selection highlights a new era for Syrian cinema under a newly formed committee accredited by the Academy.
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