One in a Million

One Syrian family and their complex experiences, filmed over 10 years. “War is not the hardest thing a person can go through. It’s not as hard as what comes after.”

Directors Itab Azzam and Jack MacInnes spent 10 years following Syrian Isra’s life, her journey from childhood to adulthood, from tradition to modernity, from Syria to Germany and back again.

The story highlights her family portraits. Isra’s father left everything in Syria and faces unforeseen challenges in Germany, while her mother gains new opportunities in Europe. The tension between Syrian traditions and individualistic Western culture rises as the family has to navigate a changing environment, rising expectations, and the need to belong. At the same time, it is a film full of life, hope and dreams – just like Isra herself.

The screening on 12 October at Skalvija Cinema will be introduced by Taib Mou, a Syrian-born data analyst now based in Lithuania, who went through the asylum process in Sweden himself. He was introduced to cinema as a child by his father, a long-time film critic in Damascus. The introduction will be in English.

Sundance Film Festival 2026 — World Cinema Documentary Directing Award, Audience Award
Sheffield DocFest 2026 — Shine Global Children’s Resilience Award
CPH:DOX 2026
Thessaloniki Documentary Festival 2026

This film is not available online.