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Please contact Mohammad Faris, Syria Civil Defence Media Manager on +90 531 954 9887 or [email protected] or[email protected] on + 90 506 059 59 04
SYRIA CIVIL DEFENCE STATEMENT ON ‘THE WHITE HELMETS’ FILM WINNING THE OSCAR FOR ‘BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT’
‘The White Helmets’ a Netflix original short documentary, set in Aleppo, Syria and Turkey in early 2016 won the Oscar for ‘Best Short Documentary’ at the 89th Academy Awards ceremony, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in LA. The film was directed by Academy Award®–nominated director Orlando von Einsiedel and producer Joanna Natasegara.
Unfortunately representatives from the Syria Civil Defence could not attend the event but the Head of the Syria Civil Defence, Raed Saleh, released a video accepting the award fro Southern Turkey [see below for link to video].
Khaled Khatib, a White Helmet volunteer and cinematographer on the film said:
“ I am absolutely delighted that we won an Oscar — it shows us that people care about us and the people we serve. This award is for all the volunteers of the White Helmets and all people around the world who are working for peace.”
Reacting to the award Raed Saleh, Head of the Syria Civil Defence said:
“We are honored that ‘The White Helmets’ film has received an Oscar. This film has helped show the world what is happening in Syria and we want to thank our brothers and sisters who stand with us on the side of life.”
But we are not happy to do what we do. We abhor the reality we live in. What we want isn’t support to continue, but rather support to end this work. We hope this film and the attention helps move the world to act to stop the bloodshed in Syria.”
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Notes to Editor
- Raed Saleh recorded a video acceptance speech from Southern Turkey.
Link to the video:
UK H264 HD 25 FPS: https://www.dropbox.com/s/6z1khhjdgunvqzs/Raed%20Saleh%20Oscars%20Acceptance%20Speech%20%5BH264%20HD%20Textless%2025fps%5D.mp4?dl=0
US H264 HD 30 FPS
Link to the transcript of the video https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XDPdgsTzs7Zgx6JaDLBOi5j_T1F8XgchnaWhtVhv3cY/edit