Screening: The Suffering Grasses + Q&A

The screening will be followed by a discussion with with director Iara Lee via Skype.

The Suffering Grasses explores the Syrian conflict through the eyes of those caught in the crossfire as what began as peaceful demonstrations over a year ago escalated into violence and brought the country to the brink of civil war.

While focusing on the people and communities most affected by the bloody conflict, director Iara Lee also examines the motivations of Bashar al-Assad’s Ba’athist regime, the Free Syrian Army and other key players including the United States, Israel, Russia, China and Iran.

This relationship between the actions of those in power and the impact it has on ordinary people is the inspiration for the film’s title – taken from the saying “When elephants go to war, it is the grass that suffers.”

Lee spent a number of weeks in the Turkish refugee camps, interviewing those who had been forced to flee the bloody conflict. Although many live in desperate circumstances, often away from their family or loved ones, the picture Lee draws is primarily optimistic and stresses the importance of non-violent protests and the strength

The screening will be followed by a discussion with with director Iara Lee

Director: Iara Lee
Duration: 52′
Year: 2012