In a place where memories were created and dreams destroyed, the Home Operation film crew rolled into Hajar Al Aswad in Damascus, Syria with their production equipment and a story to tell. 

What story, you might ask?

It is not the story of those who once lived along the narrow streets of this neighborhood. It is not the story of the Syrian conflict. It is not the story of displaced Syrians across the world, nor the story of those who remained behind, struggling to put food on their tables. 

Home Operation is a movie inspired by true events during the Yemeni war in 2015: the emergency evacuation of Chinese nationals, diplomats, and other foreigners. The movie reveals the early stages of the Yemeni war and how China evacuated over 600 nationals and more than 200 nationals of other countries. 

Jackie Chan, actor, filmmaker, martial artist, and producer of the film, chose Syria as the backdrop to save money on building a set that would create the environment of the war in Yemen.

Rawad, one of the Syrian film crew members, said, “This became a backdrop for this movie. Building something like this for a movie set is very expensive, so here you are with something ready for you.” 

Jackie Chan, the Hong Kong actor, filmmaker, martial artist, and producer of the film, chose Syria as the backdrop, but he himself will not be visiting Syria during the filming. He has never been to the country. 

The previous inhabitants of Hajar Al Aswad — those who were forced to flee during the Syrian war, leaving behind their homes completely in rubble — expressed their sadness and frustration about the situation: “It is like they’re dancing over our bodies.” 

In a time where Syrian refugees have been forgotten, buried under other news while still struggling for survival, in comes Director Yinxi Song and his crew to capitalize off of the struggles of others. 

Why is this a problem?

The film exploits the tragedy of hopeless people. Hajar Al Aswad has been completely deserted since 2018. The people who grew up there and built families said that they wish to come back someday — to host their children’s weddings and recreate the memories they once had. And while they are not able to set foot in a place where they once called home, actors and crew members are roaming around the neighborhood freely. 

Bringing awareness about the Yemeni war and the suffering of the Yemeni people is critical, but not in a place where Syrians have gone through similar, if not greater, suffering, all while failing to mention or do anything about the situation. 

While the actors occupy deserted living rooms and bedrooms to shoot a scene, the family that once gathered around that very dinner table and read bedtime stories to their kids in those bedrooms currently reside in mere tents, dreaming of a home with walls and a comfortable mattress to lay their tired bodies on. 

Currently, there are 13 million Syrian people displaced internally and externally. According to UNHCR, there are 20 million Syrians in 2022 who need humanitarian assistance. That number has increased since 2021 which was 10.4 million.