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Deep Dive: Sabaya (2021)

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Sabaya
Sabaya is a 2021 Swedish documentary directed by Hogir Hirori that follows a group risking their lives to rescue sex slaves held by ISIS in Al-Hawl, Syria. The film captures the dangerous environment of Al-Hawl, described as the most dangerous camp in the Middle East, and the efforts of these individuals to save women who have been abducted and forced into sexual slavery. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 30, 2021, and later received U.S. distribution rights from MTV Documentary Films. It has been recognized for its impactful storytelling, winning the Best Documentary Feature Film at the 14th Asian Pacific Screen Awards in 2021. Despite its acclaim, the film faced criticism in May 2022 from Swedish magazine Kvartal, which accused it of faking scenes and manipulating characters.

Why Watch

  • •See the dangerous rescue missions in Al-Hawl, Syria.
  • •Meet the brave individuals saving women from ISIS captivity.
  • •Find out why it won Best Documentary at the Asian Pacific Screen Awards.

Did You Know

•The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 30, 2021.
•Sabaya won the Best Documentary Feature Film at the Asian Pacific Screen Awards in 2021.
•It holds a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 41 reviews.
•The film has a Metacritic score of 86 out of 100, indicating universal acclaim.

Perfect For

Human rights advocatesDocumentary enthusiastsMiddle Eastern studies