Watch Sky and Ground

Sky and Ground is a visually stunning, emotionally powerful documentary film that chronicles the arduous journey of a Syrian Kurdish family as they traverse Europe in search of asylum. The film is directed by Talya Tibbon and Joshua Bennett, who follow the family's journey from their home in Aleppo to their eventual destination in Berlin.

The film begins with the family's preparations for their journey, which involves crossing mountains, deserts, and seas. The filmmakers capture the raw emotions of the family as they say goodbye to their friends and family in Aleppo and set off on their journey. As the family travels through Turkey, Greece, Italy, and other countries, the filmmakers capture their struggles to navigate the legal and bureaucratic hurdles of seeking asylum in each new country.

Throughout the film, the directors make excellent use of stunning landscapes and wide shots to capture the vastness and beauty of the world the family is traveling through. At the same time, they also employ close-ups and intimate camera angles to capture the individual struggles of each family member. This combination makes for a truly immersive and emotionally powerful viewing experience.

One of the standout aspects of Sky and Ground is the way in which it humanizes the refugee experience. Rather than portraying the family as faceless statistics, the filmmakers make a conscious effort to show their individual personalities and stories. We see the mother, Heba, struggling to keep her family safe and healthy despite the brutal conditions they face. We see the daughters, Leila and Sarah, growing up and maturing as they experience the world in ways they never could have imagined. And we see the father, Abdallah, struggling to keep his family together and find a way forward in an uncertain and often hostile world.

As the family journeys through Europe, they encounter a diverse range of characters, from fellow refugees to volunteers to law enforcement officials. The filmmakers capture their interactions in a way that feels both authentic and emotionally engaging.

One of the most powerful scenes in the film is when the family arrives in Berlin and is finally able to settle down in a proper apartment. The contrast between their previous living conditions and their new home is stark, and the joy they feel at finally having a place to call their own is palpable.

Overall, Sky and Ground is an incredibly moving and powerful film that provides an intimate and humanizing look at the refugee experience. With its stunning visuals and powerful storytelling, it is a must-see for anyone interested in understanding the challenges faced by those seeking asylum around the world.

Sky and Ground is a 2018 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 27 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.4.