The Knockturnal
  • Home
  • Entertainment
    • Events Film The Kontenders Theater TV All
      Entertainment

      Highlights From The 30th Annual IFP Gotham Awards

      January 12, 2021

      Entertainment

      Toasting the Crowning Achievement of Gotham IFP Awards with Robert Hall Winery

      January 12, 2021

      Entertainment

      ‘The Bachelor’ Discovers Love and Roses at Luxury Travel Destination Nemacolin

      January 7, 2021

      Entertainment

      Highlights From The 41st Annual Muse Awards

      December 20, 2020

      Film

      Exclusive: Director Cameron Van Hoy And Actor Daniel Zovatto Talk Thriller ‘Flinch’

      January 20, 2021

      Film

      Highlights From The ‘Feeling Through’ Special Screening & Panel

      January 17, 2021

      Film

      Exclusive: Writer/Actor/Director Nate Parker And Singer Keedron Bryant Discuss Police Brutality For New…

      January 17, 2021

      Film

      Exclusive: Meg Fraser and Ben O’toole Talk Starring In New Thriller ‘Bloody Hell’…

      January 16, 2021

      The Kontenders

      Colman Domingo Talks ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’

      December 21, 2020

      The Kontenders

      NYFF 2020: ‘David Byrne’s American Utopia’

      October 4, 2020

      The Kontenders

      Highlights from the First Week of NYFF

      September 30, 2020

      The Kontenders

      NYFF 2020 Documentary: ‘Time’

      September 30, 2020

      Theater

      Sing Your Hallelujah: Review

      December 15, 2020

      Theater

      Exclusive: Nikki Lynette Talks “Get Out Alive” and Using Her Past as Inspiration…

      December 15, 2020

      Theater

      Company XIV Brings Burlesque Right To Your Home

      December 10, 2020

      Theater

      Exclusive: Celia Rose Gooding Talks Her Tony Nomination and Starring in Broadway Hit…

      November 28, 2020

      TV

      Exclusive: Cast & Creators Talk New Hulu Thriller ‘The Sister’[Video]

      January 21, 2021

      TV

      Exclusive: ‘Grown-ish’ Cast Discusses Midseason Premiere [Video]

      January 20, 2021

      TV

      Exclusive: Manish Dayal on ‘The Resident’ Season 4, COVID-19 Healthcare Inequalities & Diversity…

      January 20, 2021

      TV

      Exclusive: Caitlin Stasey and Sam Vartholomeos Discuss Starring in Ed Burns’ ‘Bridge and…

      January 20, 2021

      Entertainment

      Exclusive: Cast & Creators Talk New Hulu Thriller ‘The Sister’[Video]

      January 21, 2021

      Entertainment

      Exclusive: ‘Grown-ish’ Cast Discusses Midseason Premiere [Video]

      January 20, 2021

      Entertainment

      Exclusive: Director Cameron Van Hoy And Actor Daniel Zovatto Talk Thriller ‘Flinch’

      January 20, 2021

      Entertainment

      Exclusive: Manish Dayal on ‘The Resident’ Season 4, COVID-19 Healthcare Inequalities & Diversity…

      January 20, 2021

  • Music
    • Koncerts News All
      Koncerts

      Melanie Martinez Shines at Virtual Concert Event

      December 21, 2020

      Koncerts

      Big Beat Virtual Showcase: Elderbrook x WHIPPED CREAM

      April 17, 2020

      Koncerts

      On The Scene: Dermot Kennedy Sold-Out Show at Radio City Music Hall

      March 24, 2020

      Koncerts

      Koncert Review: Monsune at Baby’s All Right

      March 17, 2020

      News

      DANGER Sprinkles His French Electro Onto Debut Video Game Soundtrack, ‘Haven OST’

      December 7, 2020

      News

      Exclusive: Chilean Producer Sistek Talks Cultural Roots and Influences, Remixes, & New Music

      December 4, 2020

      News

      Exclusive: ATTLAS Shares The Tracks That Inspired His Sophomore Album, ‘Out Here With…

      November 19, 2020

      News

      Listen: Sumluv Showcase Slick House Sounds In Their ‘Balance’ EP

      November 18, 2020

      Music

      Exclusive: Meet Louisville Rapper EST Gee

      January 22, 2021

      Music

      BRS Kash Talks “Throat Baby” Success and New Project ‘Kash Only’

      January 22, 2021

      Music

      New Music Roundup: Releases You May Have Missed

      January 22, 2021

      Music

      Exclusive: Sally Sossa Talks Label Debut ‘Life of Sossa’

      January 22, 2021

  • Lifestyle
    • Art Events Fashion & Beauty Sports All
      Art

      Exclusive: Tommy Alastra Discusses Cryptograph & Jason Momoa Auction

      December 11, 2020

      Art

      Exclusive: Kiki Somerville Talks The Business of Art & The Fearless Artist

      October 1, 2020

      Art

      Socializing from Home – Artists Creating Hope During the Pandemic

      July 14, 2020

      Art

      Exclusive: Loni Love Talks New Memoir ‘I Tried to Change So You Don’t…

      June 23, 2020

      Events

      Exclusive: Michelin Star Chef Dani Garcia Talks Taste of sbe Virtual Culinary Event

      December 17, 2020

      Events

      On The Scene: First Annual Interactive and Immersive Drive Thru Holiday Experience ‘WonderLAnd’

      November 30, 2020

      Events

      Maribelle celebrates Resident Magazine Cover & 20 year anniversary

      October 30, 2020

      Events

      Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic Virtually Toasts America

      October 5, 2020

      Fashion & Beauty

      Exclusive: Priscilla Jiminian Discusses Skincare Line & Entrepreneurship

      December 28, 2020

      Fashion & Beauty

      The Bright Side by Rocky Barnes Elevates Your Loungewear to a Posh Satin…

      December 19, 2020

      Fashion & Beauty

      Holiday Fashion Editorial: My Favorite Things 2020

      December 15, 2020

      Fashion & Beauty

      A G-Shock Holiday 2020

      December 8, 2020

      Sports

      Film Review: ‘Embattled’ Has Heart, Grit, & Family All in One Fight

      November 16, 2020

      Sports

      Exclusive: Stephen Dorff talks New Film ‘Embattled’ [Video]

      November 16, 2020

      Sports

      The Weeknd to Headline Pepsi Super Bowl LV Halftime Show

      November 12, 2020

      Sports

      Exclusive: All Elite Wrestling Superstars Britt Baker & Sonny Kiss Celebrate the One…

      October 11, 2020

      Lifestyle

      Mix in the New Year with These Cocktail Recipes featuring Essentia Water

      December 31, 2020

      Lifestyle

      Exclusive: Priscilla Jiminian Discusses Skincare Line & Entrepreneurship

      December 28, 2020

      Lifestyle

      Exclusive: Hilary Sheinbaum Discusses her New Book ‘The Dry Challenge’

      December 21, 2020

      Lifestyle

      The Bright Side by Rocky Barnes Elevates Your Loungewear to a Posh Satin…

      December 19, 2020

  • News
  • Videos
  • Covers
  • Merch
The Knockturnal
  • Home
  • Entertainment
    • Events Film The Kontenders Theater TV All
      Entertainment

      Highlights From The 30th Annual IFP Gotham Awards

      January 12, 2021

      Entertainment

      Toasting the Crowning Achievement of Gotham IFP Awards with Robert Hall Winery

      January 12, 2021

      Entertainment

      ‘The Bachelor’ Discovers Love and Roses at Luxury Travel Destination Nemacolin

      January 7, 2021

      Entertainment

      Highlights From The 41st Annual Muse Awards

      December 20, 2020

      Film

      Exclusive: Director Cameron Van Hoy And Actor Daniel Zovatto Talk Thriller ‘Flinch’

      January 20, 2021

      Film

      Highlights From The ‘Feeling Through’ Special Screening & Panel

      January 17, 2021

      Film

      Exclusive: Writer/Actor/Director Nate Parker And Singer Keedron Bryant Discuss Police Brutality For New…

      January 17, 2021

      Film

      Exclusive: Meg Fraser and Ben O’toole Talk Starring In New Thriller ‘Bloody Hell’…

      January 16, 2021

      The Kontenders

      Colman Domingo Talks ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’

      December 21, 2020

      The Kontenders

      NYFF 2020: ‘David Byrne’s American Utopia’

      October 4, 2020

      The Kontenders

      Highlights from the First Week of NYFF

      September 30, 2020

      The Kontenders

      NYFF 2020 Documentary: ‘Time’

      September 30, 2020

      Theater

      Sing Your Hallelujah: Review

      December 15, 2020

      Theater

      Exclusive: Nikki Lynette Talks “Get Out Alive” and Using Her Past as Inspiration…

      December 15, 2020

      Theater

      Company XIV Brings Burlesque Right To Your Home

      December 10, 2020

      Theater

      Exclusive: Celia Rose Gooding Talks Her Tony Nomination and Starring in Broadway Hit…

      November 28, 2020

      TV

      Exclusive: Cast & Creators Talk New Hulu Thriller ‘The Sister’[Video]

      January 21, 2021

      TV

      Exclusive: ‘Grown-ish’ Cast Discusses Midseason Premiere [Video]

      January 20, 2021

      TV

      Exclusive: Manish Dayal on ‘The Resident’ Season 4, COVID-19 Healthcare Inequalities & Diversity…

      January 20, 2021

      TV

      Exclusive: Caitlin Stasey and Sam Vartholomeos Discuss Starring in Ed Burns’ ‘Bridge and…

      January 20, 2021

      Entertainment

      Exclusive: Cast & Creators Talk New Hulu Thriller ‘The Sister’[Video]

      January 21, 2021

      Entertainment

      Exclusive: ‘Grown-ish’ Cast Discusses Midseason Premiere [Video]

      January 20, 2021

      Entertainment

      Exclusive: Director Cameron Van Hoy And Actor Daniel Zovatto Talk Thriller ‘Flinch’

      January 20, 2021

      Entertainment

      Exclusive: Manish Dayal on ‘The Resident’ Season 4, COVID-19 Healthcare Inequalities & Diversity…

      January 20, 2021

  • Music
    • Koncerts News All
      Koncerts

      Melanie Martinez Shines at Virtual Concert Event

      December 21, 2020

      Koncerts

      Big Beat Virtual Showcase: Elderbrook x WHIPPED CREAM

      April 17, 2020

      Koncerts

      On The Scene: Dermot Kennedy Sold-Out Show at Radio City Music Hall

      March 24, 2020

      Koncerts

      Koncert Review: Monsune at Baby’s All Right

      March 17, 2020

      News

      DANGER Sprinkles His French Electro Onto Debut Video Game Soundtrack, ‘Haven OST’

      December 7, 2020

      News

      Exclusive: Chilean Producer Sistek Talks Cultural Roots and Influences, Remixes, & New Music

      December 4, 2020

      News

      Exclusive: ATTLAS Shares The Tracks That Inspired His Sophomore Album, ‘Out Here With…

      November 19, 2020

      News

      Listen: Sumluv Showcase Slick House Sounds In Their ‘Balance’ EP

      November 18, 2020

      Music

      Exclusive: Meet Louisville Rapper EST Gee

      January 22, 2021

      Music

      BRS Kash Talks “Throat Baby” Success and New Project ‘Kash Only’

      January 22, 2021

      Music

      New Music Roundup: Releases You May Have Missed

      January 22, 2021

      Music

      Exclusive: Sally Sossa Talks Label Debut ‘Life of Sossa’

      January 22, 2021

  • Lifestyle
    • Art Events Fashion & Beauty Sports All
      Art

      Exclusive: Tommy Alastra Discusses Cryptograph & Jason Momoa Auction

      December 11, 2020

      Art

      Exclusive: Kiki Somerville Talks The Business of Art & The Fearless Artist

      October 1, 2020

      Art

      Socializing from Home – Artists Creating Hope During the Pandemic

      July 14, 2020

      Art

      Exclusive: Loni Love Talks New Memoir ‘I Tried to Change So You Don’t…

      June 23, 2020

      Events

      Exclusive: Michelin Star Chef Dani Garcia Talks Taste of sbe Virtual Culinary Event

      December 17, 2020

      Events

      On The Scene: First Annual Interactive and Immersive Drive Thru Holiday Experience ‘WonderLAnd’

      November 30, 2020

      Events

      Maribelle celebrates Resident Magazine Cover & 20 year anniversary

      October 30, 2020

      Events

      Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic Virtually Toasts America

      October 5, 2020

      Fashion & Beauty

      Exclusive: Priscilla Jiminian Discusses Skincare Line & Entrepreneurship

      December 28, 2020

      Fashion & Beauty

      The Bright Side by Rocky Barnes Elevates Your Loungewear to a Posh Satin…

      December 19, 2020

      Fashion & Beauty

      Holiday Fashion Editorial: My Favorite Things 2020

      December 15, 2020

      Fashion & Beauty

      A G-Shock Holiday 2020

      December 8, 2020

      Sports

      Film Review: ‘Embattled’ Has Heart, Grit, & Family All in One Fight

      November 16, 2020

      Sports

      Exclusive: Stephen Dorff talks New Film ‘Embattled’ [Video]

      November 16, 2020

      Sports

      The Weeknd to Headline Pepsi Super Bowl LV Halftime Show

      November 12, 2020

      Sports

      Exclusive: All Elite Wrestling Superstars Britt Baker & Sonny Kiss Celebrate the One…

      October 11, 2020

      Lifestyle

      Mix in the New Year with These Cocktail Recipes featuring Essentia Water

      December 31, 2020

      Lifestyle

      Exclusive: Priscilla Jiminian Discusses Skincare Line & Entrepreneurship

      December 28, 2020

      Lifestyle

      Exclusive: Hilary Sheinbaum Discusses her New Book ‘The Dry Challenge’

      December 21, 2020

      Lifestyle

      The Bright Side by Rocky Barnes Elevates Your Loungewear to a Posh Satin…

      December 19, 2020

  • News
  • Videos
  • Covers
  • Merch
EntertainmentFilmThe KontendersThe Latest

The Woman Beneath ‘The Cave’: How Dr. Amani Bellaur Saved Lives While Combatting Sexism

by Catherina Gioino February 10, 2020
by Catherina Gioino February 10, 2020 0 comment

Caught between the precipitous explosions of IEDs overhead and the continuous stereotypes received by women in Syrian society below, Dr. Amani Bellaur opens her heart and Underground Hospital operations in Feras Fayyad’s latest documentary, The Cave.

 Fayyad, best known for his last Syrian War-based documentary, Last Men in Aleppo, took the opportunity to return to his home country and focus on the not-so-visible protagonists: the people who have chosen not to flee their home, made up of the doctors that risk their lives on the daily and those who have stuck around to help the wounded gain some semblance of medical care.

A tough ask given the war-torn landscape of the besieged Al-Ghouta suburb of Damascus. An even tougher ask considering Dr. Bellaur is a woman heading a major hospital and still must deal with sexism from others despite other more pressing medical issues. Read our review of the documentary here.

At a recent New York screening, Dr. Bellaur was present to answer questions from Katie Couric and with the film’s producer Sigrid Dyekjaer. A snippet of the post-screening questions are as follows:

Katie Couric: Amani, why were you hesitant? Why did it take a while for you to be convinced that you would participate in the making of this film?

Amani Bellaur: Actually, we were talking for about four years before starting filming. Before we start filming, we were for four years underneath bombing and starvation. Everything was bad. And we were hopeful at the beginning that some of them help us, that the international community would do something for us, but they were not coming. So we hope that the film would make the pressure to help Syrians to change the situation which is still happening. You know, it’s important to know this is something that is still happening now. Now people are in the north of Syria are being bombed. And now people in the prison are being tortured for long years. And they are hopeful that maybe someone was there for long years, but no one cares about this. It is very important to talk about them. Try to find a way, any way, to help them.

Couric: So what can American citizens who are outraged and so upset by the situation, what can be done?

Sigrid Dyekjaer: Well, I think, first of all, you can watch the film. I mean, that’s the smallest thing everyone can do. And I’ve heard people tell me, it’s so tough, and it’s a really tough movie. And I’m like, yeah, well, you know, you have to watch it. That’s your obligation. That’s the smallest thing you can do. Because that is their reality that’s there every day. So, we should watch it. And we should tell other people to watch it. We are witnesses to what they have been going through. And the second thing is, of course, to make sure politicians watch the film… And I think we can show the film to schools. You know, the film won a youth award at a big festival in Europe just a few weeks ago. So, the youngsters really want to watch the film. They are activists and they want to do a different world. So, they’re not afraid to watch films like this. So, I think we should make sure that they watch it. And Dr. Amani and we created a fund called the Amal Fund, which means hope. And Amani is going to administrate the fund. And we are hoping people would give money to the fund. So that money can help women coming out of Syria that needs education. You can imagine how many years this war has taken. And there’s a whole generation that didn’t get school, they didn’t finish their education. So, Amani is going to help them when they get out, especially if there are young women who need education and a better chance for themselves. And I think hopefully, at some point, you know, we can have Assad put to justice at the Hague, you know, in the criminal justice court. I hope that’s what’s going to happen. So, all the material we shot and the film is delivered to The Hague. And one day he will be put to justice.

Couric: So it must have been devastating to be there in person capturing these images. And then I know in the editing room, it was so traumatic for some of the two of the editors to watch the scenes over and over and over again, that you’ve called in someone to help them, a therapist, to help them deal with their feelings. So can you just help us understand a little bit about how challenging this every conceivable way?

Dyekjaer: I think it’s first important to save that for us, Fayyad, who directed this film also did a film called Last Men in Aleppo, and he is a Syrian refugee. So he experienced the war on his body. He was two times in prison. One of the times, the last time, was 18 months in prison. He was tortured. You know, everything that can happen, happened to him in prison. So when we met Feras, we knew that we were just a Danish production company. And he happens to live in Denmark as a refugee. And we really wanted to pay the respect to him to understand his culture, where he comes from and what had happened to him. So we never saw ourselves as some sort of saviors or, you know, really great storytellers. We actually lay flat down on the floor, and we asked him, ‘How do you want to do this film?’ And then our job was just to do it in the best possible way. Because he’s writing his own country’s history. And we’re just the helpers. But of course the helpers, it’s devastating to watch your life, Amani, all the many years in the cave. And the first part of the material we actually couldn’t really use because the cinematographers were men and they had a hard time filming Amani because of the culture. So they would film her and then they would remove the camera, or they would film her and her female team and as soon as a man came into the room, they’ll start looking at the man. So actually, Feras fought for a long time to make them keep looking at the women, and look at them as they are people and not think of them about their sex. And that took a long time. So we actually have material all the way back from ‘13. But most of the film is ‘16 to ‘18. And then we had to bring in a therapist and the therapist was really there to sort of put the team together. We had 12 translators in our office, and a lot of them were Syrian refugees. So we had sort of our own refugee camp in the office. And of course, I mean, can you guys imagine? You live in Denmark and the United States, New York City is bombed. And I invite you into my office to look at this material where New York City is bombed. And I asked you to watch all the material and translate from English to Danish. It’s devastating. So we use the therapist to also understand what our Syrian team was going through. And also to, of course, respect what the editors were going through because they have to feel in order to edit. So, they have to take all in, feel it in their body before they can make a cut. So just the chemical attack scene you saw, we had many of those, we didn’t only have one. And that took three weeks to edit that one scene. So thank you to National Geographic, I don’t know where they are. But thank you to them. We could make a secure working space for people working on this film because I know you guys have been touched today. But I promise you our editors, many days they couldn’t work. They had to go home and sleep and rest and not work.

amani bellaurferaas fayyadkatie couriclast men in alepposigrid dyekjaerThe cave
0 comment
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Avatar
Catherina Gioino

previous post
The Kontenders: ‘I Lost My Body’ Took My Breath Away
next post
Exclusive: Kumail Nanjiani, Emily V. Gordon & More Talk Apple TV+ Series ‘Little America’ [Video]

Related Posts

Exclusive: Meet Louisville Rapper EST Gee

January 22, 2021

BRS Kash Talks “Throat Baby” Success and New...

January 22, 2021

New Music Roundup: Releases You May Have Missed

January 22, 2021

Exclusive: Sally Sossa Talks Label Debut ‘Life of...

January 22, 2021

Exclusive: Cast & Creators Talk New Hulu Thriller...

January 21, 2021

Exclusive: Brynn Elliot Talks New Single, “Tell Me...

January 21, 2021

Exclusive: ‘Grown-ish’ Cast Discusses Midseason Premiere [Video]

January 20, 2021

Exclusive: Director Cameron Van Hoy And Actor Daniel...

January 20, 2021

Exclusive: Manish Dayal on ‘The Resident’ Season 4,...

January 20, 2021

Exclusive: Caitlin Stasey and Sam Vartholomeos Discuss Starring...

January 20, 2021

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

 

Digital Cover No. 12

The Knockturnal Merch

Follow Us On The Gram

Our very own @kylemattone sat down with the cast a Our very own @kylemattone sat down with the cast and creators of the @hulu new mini series #thesister . Head to TheKnockturnal.com for the full interview! @russelltovey @amritaacharia1
@brynnelliott’s new single #TellMeImPretty was r @brynnelliott’s new single #TellMeImPretty was released today, January 21! Spoiler alert: it’s AMAZING! 

Make sure to listen to her new song and check out the full interview on The Knockturnal.com!
Grown-ish is returning for it’s midseason debut Grown-ish is returning for it’s midseason debut on Jan. 21st! Check out our interview with the super fun cast as we talk about the upcoming season, relationships, off set projects, Tik Tok and much more!

#grownish #freeform #yarashahidi #ybnnahmir #saweetie #franciaraisa #chloexhalle #emilyarlook #diggysimmons #trevorjackson #lukasabbat #jordanbuhat
@theresidentonfox season 4 out now!! @manishdaya @theresidentonfox season 4 out now!! 

@manishdayal spills on his character Devon’s tumultuous journey this season, filming during a pandemic, past projects, and so much more.

Head over to our YouTube channel to check out the full conversation! Interview by @megandso
Actress #SophieOkonedo talks her new series #FLACK Actress #SophieOkonedo talks her new series #FLACK, which begins streaming on @amazonprimevideo starting January 22nd. 

You can watch the full interview, available on YouTube.
Ben O’Toole and Meg Fraser’s new film Bloody H Ben O’Toole and Meg Fraser’s new film Bloody Hell isn’t your typical thriller, the film incorporates elements of comedy  to combine with the harrowing plot, creating a totally unique cinematic experience. Check out our full conversation on our youtube channel! Interview by @thesydneyhargrove
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
  • Youtube

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