This documentary film was directed by Orlando von Einsiedel, who chose to focus the documentary on the Syrian Civil Defence organization, who are often called "The White Helmets." He heard about The White Helmets after seeing the video of the "miracle baby" being rescued from beneath the rubble in Aleppo. This is an event that is referred to in the documentary, with the men who were there giving their personal accounts of the day, and how it continues to affect them today. After seeing the footage of the baby being rescued, Von Einsiedel decided he would make a documentary about the organization's incredible achievements. We see a number of statistics in the documentary, including the fact that the Syrian Civil Defence has saved 58,000 lives since 2013.
The director chose to focus on three volunteers in particular, which was a good choice as it gives the documentary a personal touch. Instead of focusing on the general operations of the organization, the film focuses on the lives of Khalid Farah, Abu Omar, and Mohammed Farah. The documentary won an Academy Award for Best Documentary (short), due to its moving subject matter and intense cinematography.
Orlando von Einsiedel is a film director born in 1980, who has directed a number of documentaries about various political and social issues. He has filmed all over the world, including in Syria for The White Helmets. He has won a number of awards for his achievements as a director, including an Academy Award for The White Helmets, and for his documentary Virunga.
