'Syria beyond the war: The loss trilogy' with director Q&A

This event is a personal and cinematic exploration of Syria beyond headlines and statistics.
While numbers are often used to describe the Syrian conflict, they rarely capture its emotional reality. Behind these figures lies something much harder to express: what loss feels like. This is where art becomes essential.

During this evening, introduced and guided by Tala & Jula van Dokhuis, we will watch three short films by Syrian filmmaker Houssam Hamo together. They will guide you through the program and open the space for conversation, and reflection.
The films will explore different layers of loss, memory, and identity:

Void follows a young woman caught in a vicious cycle of denial after the loss of someone close to her. Through music and silence, the film expresses a sense of emotional emptiness.

Hibernate tells the story of a young boy who dreams of making music in an environment where dreams feel distant.

Weaning portrays a mother confronting the departure of her son. At the same time, the film explores questions of identity, inspired by an ancient myth and reimagined within a Syrian context.

Programme:
Walk in with a drink: 18:00 – 18:30
Screening of the short films 18:30 – 19:30
A short break 19:30 – 19:45
A live Q&A with the director 19:45 – 20:15
Syrian dinner 20:15 – 21:00

Although the films touch upon heavy themes, the evening is not intended to leave you feeling sad. On the contrary, watching, listening, and discussing together can open up space for reflection, understanding, and connection—exactly what we like to do at Dokhuis.

About the Director

Houssam Hamo is a Syrian filmmaker and composer from Aleppo. With a background in architecture, he transitioned into filmmaking and music.

His work combines sound, image, and memory, exploring themes such as loss and identity. His films have been screened internationally and have received multiple awards.

This event is free to attend, however with a donation ticket you support Dokhuis to keep events and workshops free in the future.