On 11 February, the Research Committee-funded screening of Death Without Mercy took place at the Jacqueline du Pré Music Building, drawing an audience of approximately 30–35 attendees. The documentary, directed by BAFTA-winning filmmaker Waad Al-Kateab, follows two Syrian families in the aftermath of the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria, exposing the corruption and government failures that exacerbated the tragedy. The film was well received, with attendees moved by its powerful storytelling. The audience included students, researchers, and members of the broader Oxford community, many of whom expressed appreciation for the film’s poignant documentation of both personal loss and systemic injustice.
Following the screening, a Q&A session was chaired by Professor Dawn Chatty, featuring director Waad Al-Kateab, the film’s Syrian producer Hasan Kattan, and the film’s British producer Sophie Daniels. The discussion delved into the filmmaking process, the political implications of the documentary, and the broader humanitarian challenges faced by survivors. Thoughtful questions from the audience led to a rich exchange on the role of documentary filmmaking in advocacy and historical record-keeping. The public evening concluded with a tea reception, where attendees had the opportunity to engage informally with the panellists, continuing conversations about the film’s themes and broader issues related to displacement, governance, and accountability.
We concluded with a delicious private dinner in college with the event organizers and the panellists. Thank you for the support!
