About The Cave

The Cave, released in 2019, is a dramatic, heart-wrenching documentary film centered around the civil war in Syria. The movie unveils the harrowing realities of the war through the lenses of the health-workers operating in a makeshift hospital, 'The Cave'. The narrative revolves around a heroic female doctor, Dr. Amani Ballor, who under trying circumstances races against time to save lives.

Making / Production

The award-winning director Feras Fayyad directed "The Cave." The movie was brought to life with a careful blend of real-time footages and reconstructed scenes, shot in the midst of war-torn Syria and Turkey. Given the challenging shooting conditions, the cinematography of the movie necessitated tremendous courage and commitment from the entire crew.

Actors

• Dr. Amani Ballor - A heroic pediatrician whose journey forms the main narrative of the movie, plays herself. Her portrayal of the resilience in adversity is profoundly moving and inspirational.
• Dr. Salim Namour - A dedicated physician on the frontlines, played by himself, is both heart-warming and emotional.
• Dr. Alaa - A female physician working in The Cave, is played by herself. She captures the attention of the audience with her courage and determination.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The Cave is a real underground hospital in Syria.
• The shooting of the movie was carried under extremely challenging conditions including bombings and airstrikes.
• This documentary is Feras Fayyad’s follow-up to his previous work, "Last Men in Aleppo".
• The film lets us witness the exceptional bravery of Dr. Amani who, at 29, was appointed the manager of 'The Cave', making her the first woman to manage a hospital in Syria.

Awards

Impressively, The Cave was nominated for the Best Documentary Feature at the 92nd Academy Awards, adding to the accolades the film received for its impactful narrative and the exceptional bravery portrayed by its real-life characters.

Quotes

• "It's not just the cave, it's the community within it."
• "Even in hell, there is hope."
• "We have to work to prove that woman can do anything."

Music, Soundtrack

• Adding to the haunting and exhilarating atmosphere, the soundtrack is delicately crafted by Emmy nominated composer Matthew Herbert.
• The original music in The Cave was recognized by the International Documentary Association (IDA) Awards for Best Music Score.