Stories are told to mark history, they follow a plot to tell the tales of different people across generations. However, Simple As Water is more than a story told, the film does not follow a plot but touches on emotions, allowing Syrian refugees to tell their own stories.

The film follows different families across the world, where hardship accompanies them as they seek refuge and safety away from the cruelty of war. It takes you on a journey spanning five different countries; Greece, Turkey, US, Syria, and Germany. 

At the beginning of the film, we meet Yasmine in Greece, a single mother of four, grieving the loss of her child while fighting to be reunited with her husband who crossed by water to Germany. Samra in Turkey, is forced to send her kids to an orphanage for a better life she cannot offer them, however, her 12-year-old son Fayez refuses, telling her that they’ve already lost their father, they  don’t want to also lose their  mom. Diaa in Syria, six years since the disappearance of her son, is still holding on to the slim hope of him returning to her. Omar and his brother Abed arrive in the US after Abed loses his leg to a bullet in his neighborhood. Omar works multiple jobs to provide for him and his brother while Abid goes to school. And finally we meet Safwan in Germany, Yasmine’s husband who’s been working towards bringing his family to him to finally live together in a safe place. 

As a Syrian, I saw myself in every family. I saw myself in their losses, their broken hearts, their longing to home, their desperate attempt to pursue acceptance, and their failed endeavors on finding lasting refuge after being forcibly ripped away from home. 

Simple As Water is a documentary made not to record the past, but to document the present. Ten years ago, the Syrian conflict began, displacing millions of people, separating families, and losing souls. But until this day, we see the losses in increasing numbers and far from a decline. 

While we cannot change the past, we can work towards a better future. We can start by meeting the families who change the whole narrative of what people think Refugees are. Meet Yasmine, Samra, Fayez, Diaa, Omar, Abd, and Safwan. Allow them to come into your homes and tell their stories. 

Watch Simple As Water on HBOMax