- Title: Syrian cinematographer says Oscars win honours Syrian civil defence
- Date: 27th February 2017
- Summary: ISTANBUL, TURKEY (FEBRUARY 27, 2017) (REUTERS) (NIGHT SHOTS) OSCAR WINNING "THE WHITE HELMETS" CINEMATOGRAPHER KHALED KHATIB WALKING IN TAKSIM SQUARE WITH FRIEND (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) OSCAR WINNING "THE WHITE HELMETS" CINEMATOGRAPHER, KHALED KHATIB, SAYING: "The film is extremely important. For it to win an Oscar is an honour to the efforts of the film's entire team and also an honour to the Civil Defence volunteers who put their lives at risk in order to save civilians. We also managed to put out a message from the people of Syria, who are constantly coming under airstrikes by military planes."
- Embargoed: 13th March 2017 19:46
- Keywords: Syria White Helmets Oscars Khaled Khatib Academy Awards cinematographer civil defence
- Location: ISTANBUL, TURKEY / VARIOUS UNKNOWN FILM LOCATIONS
- City: ISTANBUL, TURKEY / VARIOUS UNKNOWN FILM LOCATIONS
- Country: Turkey
- Topics: Arts/Culture/Entertainment,Film
- Reuters ID: LVA00165AS9C7
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Winning an Academy Award honours the work of Syrian Civil Defence volunteers who risked their lives in order to save civilians, cinematographer Khaled Khatib who filmed the documentary "White Helmets" said on Monday (February 27).
The White Helmets operate a rescue service in rebel-held parts of Syria, which have been subjected to fierce bombardment by the government and Russia's air force during the country's civil war that has levelled whole city districts.
Their film gives a glimpse into the daily lives of the volunteers.
"The film is extremely important. For it to win an Oscar is an honour to the efforts of the film's entire team and also an honour to the Civil Defence volunteers who put their lives at risk in order to save civilians. We also managed to put out a message from the people of Syria, who are constantly coming under airstrikes by military planes," Khatib said.
The film offers a brief look into the harrowing work of the "White Helmets", as they rush into buildings soon after bomb blasts and dig through heavy rubble and dust for survivors. In one scene, a crying baby is pulled from the wreckage of a building after being trapped for hours.
Khatib was issued a visa by the United States to visit for the Oscars' ceremony in Los Angeles on Sunday (February 26) night but was not able to leave Syria after his passport was cancelled.
"I am very happy to have been part of a team that worked on a film that made it to the Oscars. I am even more happy that the film managed to express the struggle of the people we documented and the dangerous work of the Syria Civil Defence to rescue civilian lives, it has all been seen by the world," Khatib said.
The Syrian government under President Bashar al-Assad has accused the group of being a front for al Qaeda and of faking footage of the aftermath of air strikes for propaganda purposes, charges the White Helmets deny. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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