The Knockturnal
  • Home
  • Entertainment
  • Music
  • Lifestyle
  • News
  • Videos
  • Covers
  • Merch
EntertainmentFilmThe Latest

‘City of Ghosts’ Panel with Director Matthew Heineman

by Andrea Christensen September 24, 2017
by Andrea Christensen September 24, 2017 0 comments
1.9K

“City of Ghosts,” a documentary capturing the rebels who risk their lives for the anti-ISIS movement R.B.S.S. – Raqqa Is Being Slaughtered Silently – had a screening last week in New York, followed by a panel with director Matthew Heineman, producer Alex Gibney, and one of the subjects of the film known by his first name, Aziz.

The film is a harrowing experience depicting the constant danger that the Syrian city Raqqa faces daily from ISIS using real cellphone footage, as well as about the men behind R.B.S.S. who fight diligently every day, risking their own lives, to get information from Raqqa out to the rest of the world. Aziz is a former student turned spokesperson for the group. Below, we have some highlights from the panel.

Moderator: How did you find out about RBSS and decide to make this your next film?
Matthew Heineman: I was traveling for Cartel Land, and ISIS was becoming front page news, and I was reading obsessively about what was happening, trying to see if there’s a film to be made. And then came across this article in the New Yorker about RBSS and right when I read it I knew this was a way into the story and I reached out to the guys through CPJ and literally a week later I started filming. This happened quite quickly, and I was initially intellectually fascinated by this war of ideas, this war of propanda, this war of information between these two groups. But eventually the tone became much more than that for me.
Moderator: Aziz, did you have any reservations about participating in the film? Were you concerned at all about safety?
Aziz: Yes, first when Matt reached out to us by Community to Protect Journalists, that was the first thing we were thinking about. And then when we got that offer, we called the organizer that we were tired, we need to sleep (audience laughter). And they said, no you need to come. So we went because this office was like two, three minutes walking from our hotel and then we met Matthew. We were thinking that he was going to be like 50 years old, old movie director. And then yeah, we thought that he had just started to do films, and then we watched his last movie, Cartel Land, and we said ah, wow, he looks professional. And then we knew together that doing this movie would help us get our message out and to educate people about what’s going on in Syria and Raqqa specifically, so that was the main reason why we decided to establish RBSS. We knew that through doing this documentary would increase the risk level but starting RBSS itself was a risky thing. The first day when we started we decided to risk our lives. Getting our message out was more important that our safety so all of us agreed to be a part of the movie and none of us said no, we don’t want to be a part.
Moderator: Aziz, what was it like to have someone following you around with a camera? Did that take a little getting used to?
Aziz: I’ve done mini short documentaries, so I was used to having cameras but it was difficult with some of my colleagues. They weren’t used to having cameras with everything that they were doing so the first three, four days speaking three, four words…looking at the camera all the time. Sometimes it was cool, people saying should we take a selfie with you? Are you famous? But it took time for most of the guys to get used to having Matt around.
Moderator: How did you experience doing [Cartel Land] inform your experience doing this film?
Matthew: Cartel Land was much more physically dangerous experience. Being in shoot outs, and meth labs, and torture chambers, and stuff…was not necessarily enjoyable. This was a much different experience because for the most part we were in safe houses…with a lot of smoke…as someone who doesn’t smoke, I inhaled a lot of cigarettes. And so as a filmmaker it was difficult to find the drama…for the most part, people were behind computers and cellphones, so that was hard. And I never saw ISIS. I never saw guns, never saw dead bodies. But there was always an omnipresent feel of ISIS. Whether it be the death threats, or seeing them through this third wall. So it was a much different experience. But whatever fear that I felt, making the film, pales in comparison to what these guys live with every single day. And especially their family members and friends who are still in Raqqa. The geopolitical situation in Raqqa is very bad and different today than when we finished the film.
City of GhostsMatthew Heineman
0 comments 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Andrea Christensen

previous post
‘The Voice’ Season 13 Premiere Features Massive Voices and a Brand New Coach
next post
Scoreboard: Thomas Rhett, Sam Smith

Related Posts

Renowned Restaurant Fresco by Scotto Debuts a New...

October 22, 2025

Cedric the Entertainer Reflects on The Neighborhood’s Final...

October 22, 2025

Bernadette Peters, Sutton Foster & Leslie Odom Jr....

October 22, 2025

James Callis, Shaul Metzstein & Nick Mohammed Talks...

October 21, 2025

AIF 2025 Festival Opens with Mamoru Hosoda’s Scarlet

October 21, 2025

Techno and Tragedy in Oliver Laxe’s Sirat

October 21, 2025

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez and Joel Kim Booster Talk...

October 20, 2025

NMIXX Explores All ‘Shapes of Love’ in Their...

October 20, 2025

LA Premiere: HBO’s The Chair Company 

October 19, 2025

A Toast to Ja Rule’s Amber &Opal Whiskey...

October 19, 2025

Digital Cover No. 19

The Knockturnal Merch

Follow Us On The Gram

theknockturnal

Lifestyle. Music. Entertainment.
Info@theknockturnal.com
New Cover Out Now ⬇️

Step inside the chaotic world of The Chair Company Step inside the chaotic world of The Chair Company, where office life meets absurd comedy. 🪑 
Stream it now on @HBO. 

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/la-premiere-hbos-the-chair-company/

✍️: Katherine Wright
-
#TheChairCompany #HBO #HBOOriginal #HBOShow #BingeWorthy #MustWatch #StreamingNow
@justinbieber led @skylrk to a standout win at The @justinbieber led @skylrk to a standout win at The Leag, one of LA’s most talked-about underground sports events. With celebrities, athletes, and creators filling the sidelines, the night captured the energy of competition and culture colliding under the lights. 🏀

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/justin-bieber-leads-skylrk-to-victory-at-las-underground-sports-phenomenon-the-league/

✍️: Parris Rose

-
#JustinBieber #SKYLRK #TheLeag #LosAngeles #SportsCulture #Basketball #UndergroundSports
@nmixx_official spoke with The Knockturnal about t @nmixx_official spoke with The Knockturnal about their journey as six members, a long, inspiring adventure that’s led them to a major milestone: their first-ever full-length album, Blue Valentine. 💙

The project dives deep into the complexity of human emotions, wrapped in NMIXX’s signature MIXX-pop sound. 🎶

“The story of NMIXX is still unfolding.” 

Full Article 🔗 https://theknockturnal.com/nmixx-blue-valentine/

By @EmmaSalehi 

#NMIXX #BlueValentine #NMIXXBlueValentine #MIXXPOP #NMIXXComeback #KpopInterview #TheKnockturnal #Kpop #KpopNews #KpopGirlGroup #NMIXX_BlueValentine #HAEWON #LILY #BAE #JIWOO #KYUJIN #SULLYOON #엔믹스
Want to immerse yourself in the wonderful world of Want to immerse yourself in the wonderful world of @beetlejuicebway? Now you can! From now until Halloween, @tempotimessquare hosting an unforgettable Beetlejuice Suite experience where every corner is bursting with spooky charm, strange surprises, and a whole lot of Netherworld flair. 💀✨ 

Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just a little strange and unusual, this is your chance to step into the world of the ghost with the most. 👻 #BeetlejuiceBroadway #TempoTimesSquare #BeetlejuiceSuite
#ParkChanWook new film might make you laugh when y #ParkChanWook new film might make you laugh when you least expect it — and flinch when you do. 👀💥

Full review out now.

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/park-chan-wooks-no-other-choice-is-dark-gripping-and-bitingly-funny/

✍️: Ishan Wankavala 

-
#NoOtherChoice #KoreanCinema #Cinephile #FilmReview #NewRelease #MustWatch
📸 WOODZ (@woodz_dnwm) — the artist redefining 📸 WOODZ (@woodz_dnwm) — the artist redefining boundaries with each track, image, and evolution. Dive into our exclusive to uncover the artistry behind the name. 

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/woodz/

✍️: Emma Salehi

-
#Woodz #Kpop #ArtistSpotlight #Editorial
EXCLUSIVE: STAYC take the Stay Tuned tour to elect EXCLUSIVE: STAYC take the Stay Tuned tour to electrifying new heights, bringing “I WANT IT” to life with unmatched energy, confidence, and flair. Every beat, every move, every note is a reminder that STAYC don’t just perform—they command the stage. 🌈💥

From their glowing visuals to powerhouse vocals, @stayc_highup deliver a night that’s equal parts spectacle and soul.

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/stayc/

✍️: Emma Salehi

-
#STAYC #StayTunedTour #IWANTIT #STAYCgirls #STAYChighup #Kpop #ConcertHighlights #ExclusiveFeature
Park Chan-wook shares how The Ax inspired his new Park Chan-wook shares how The Ax inspired his new film, exploring its unique darkness. 🌟

#ParkChanWook #NoOtherChoice #TheAx #KoreanFilm #KDrama #NYFF #NYFF26
Big sci-fi dreams ahead 🔥🤖Park Chan-wook tea Big sci-fi dreams ahead 🔥🤖Park Chan-wook teases his probable upcoming project Genocidal Organ! 

#ParkChanWook #GenocidalOrgan #NYFF #NYFF26
Dark humor and deep tragedy with @byunghun0712 in Dark humor and deep tragedy with @byunghun0712 in his latest film @nootherchoicefilm. 🖤🎬

#LeeByungHun #NoOtherChoice #KDrama #NYFF #NYFF26
Two worlds, one screen 🌏🎥 Lee Byung-hun refl Two worlds, one screen 🌏🎥 Lee Byung-hun reflects on 20 years of film, from South Korea to Hollywood! 

#LeeByungHun #Hollywood #KoreanCinema #Film #NoOtherChoice #NYFF26 #NYFF
Brighter days ahead 🌞 @cix.official share what Brighter days ahead 🌞 @cix.official share what it means to move forward together in their latest comeback. 

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/cix/

✍️: Emma Salehi

Photo Credits: C9 Entertainment 
-
#CIX #GOChapter1 #GOTogether #TheKnockturnal #KpopInterview #KpopNews #CIXComeback #CIX2025 #KpopFeature #CIXFans
It’s going down! @stayc_highup is in North Ameri It’s going down! @stayc_highup is in North America on their ‘Stay Tuned’ tour! 💖

Watch their energetic and fun filled show near you 👀🌟

#stayc #kpop #kpopconcert #iwantit #staycstaytuned #staytuned
Who runs the world? Girls! 🩷 We had the most a Who runs the world? Girls! 🩷

We had the most amazing day of inspiring panels, activations and networking at @femalefounderworld, with @eyebuydirect! 👓
Eskil Vogt reunites with longtime collaborator Joa Eskil Vogt reunites with longtime collaborator Joachim Trier for their sixth cinematic journey, co-writing Sentimental Value, a poignant exploration of family, memory, and reconciliation. 

-
#Screenwriting #Storytelling #WritingForFilm #FilmWriting #NYFF2025 #NewYorkFilmFestival #IndieFilm
At @thenyff , @renatereinsve brings Nora Borg to l At @thenyff , @renatereinsve brings Nora Borg to life in Sentimental Value, portraying a character whose journey through family complexities and personal discovery resonates deeply. 

-
#RenateReinsve #NYFF #SentimentalValue #NoraBorg #FilmFestival #Actress
@nobledanceroslo at @thenyff shares his vision as @nobledanceroslo at @thenyff shares his vision as a director, bringing his story to life with precision, collaboration, and attention to every frame. 

The film reflects his dedication to emotion, storytelling, and cinematic craft. 🎥

-
#JoachimTrimmer #NYFF #NewYorkFilmFestival #FilmFestival #Director #Filmmaking
We spoke with @ingalilleaas at @thenyff about the We spoke with @ingalilleaas at @thenyff about the emotional process behind her latest film. ✨

-
#IngaIbsdotterLilleaas #NYFF #NewYorkFilmFestival #FilmFestival #Cinema
Poised, perceptive, and endlessly compelling — @ Poised, perceptive, and endlessly compelling — @ellefanning in conversation at this year’s @thenyff.

-
#ElleFanning #NYFF #NewYorkFilmFestival #FilmFestival #RedCarpet #Cinema
✨ From powerful panels to unforgettable performa ✨ From powerful panels to unforgettable performances, the 2025 #TeenVogueSummit brought together voices shaping fashion, culture, and activism today. 💬🎶

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/2025-teen-vogue-summit-recap-full-of-fun-fashion-and-connection/

✍️: Zipporah Pruitt

-
#TeenVogue #TeenVogueSummit2025 #TeenVogueEvents
#TeenVogueCommunity #TeenVogueStyle
Follow on Instagram

About The Site

We are a collective of creative tastemakers made up of fashion, music and entertainment industry insiders. It’s all about access. You want it. We have it.

Terms Of Use

Privacy Policy

Meet The Team

CONTACT US

For general inquiries and more info on The Knockturnal, please contact our staff at:
info@theknockturnal.com
fashion@theknockturnal.com
advertising@theknockturnal.com
editorial@theknockturnal.com
beauty@theknockturnal.com

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube

© Copyright - The Knockturnal | Developed by CI Design + Media

The Knockturnal
  • Home
  • Entertainment
  • Music
  • Lifestyle
  • News
  • Videos
  • Covers
  • Merch