Review: Heroes on both sides of the camera in documentary ‘Sabaya’
LA TimesThe Times is committed to reviewing theatrical film releases during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the threat of violence continues — for both the Sabaya still held captive and for the volunteers from the Yazidi Home Center who try to liberate them from the notoriously dangerous internment camp Al-Hol. Urgency permeates every moment of “Sabaya.” The film’s first moments drop us directly into the action, and it never lets up for 90 minutes. “Sabaya” zeroes in on Mahmud, his family, Ziyad and the infiltrators, as well as the survivors, revealing their bravery for the viewer at every moment — but you have to marvel at Hirori’s work too. With “Sabaya,” we witness documentary filmmaking at its boldest; we find hope in seeing not only the triumphs of the Yazidi Home Center but also what the medium can do.
Discover Related