The documentary Birds of War tells the story of a long-distance romance between a BBC correspondent in London and a photojournalist on the ground in Syria, focusing on matters of the heart rather than politics. Lebanese journalist Janay Boulos, working for the BBC’s Arabic service, fell in love in 2016 with Syrian activist and photographer Abd Alkader Habak. Habak risked his life under the Assad regime to supply her with dramatic footage from Idlib and later Aleppo. He gained international attention in 2017 when he was photographed carrying an injured child to safety.
A Love Story Amid Carnage
The film intercuts Habak’s harrowing images with Boulos’s smartphone footage of her in BBC Broadcasting House lifts and childhood home movies from Byblos, Lebanon. Their tender texts and voice notes reveal a growing relationship, with the couple calling each other “bird” and “little bird.” Eventually, Habak escaped Syria to Turkey, married Boulos, and moved to London, where they joined pro-Palestinian marches. Habak struggles with watching Syria’s liberation on TV, while Boulos visits her parents in Lebanon, where Israel’s actions are deplored but Hezbollah is not mentioned.
Authenticity and Charm
Some scenes feel contrived, such as when the couple sets up shots themselves or uses a tripod for emotional hugs. Their marriage reveal to parents is not shown. Despite this, the film offers a genuine, human story. Birds of War is in cinemas from 3 July.
