FOR SAMA.

 

 

The documentary FOR SAMA, is a story that is filled with many emotions, it is a tale that is both epic and fragile, and focuses upon the life of Waad al-Kateab whilst she is in the city of Aleppo in Syria, as the crisis in the city unfolds and worsens as the years pass, we see her fall in love and marry and eventually give birth to a daughter Sama. It is one of the most intimate and yet harrowing films, with the central characters camera recording the worsening situation in the, capturing loss, joy and ultimately a fight for survival. It also shows the inner struggle she feels when faced with leaving the City, she wants to leave to save her daughter, but at the same she feels that she should remain and continue the struggle for freedom which she has been fighting and also for which she has already lost so much. It’s a film that you will not be able to stop watching and will shed tears and laugh with her and for her. The music for this film plays a very big part, it supports every scenario and elevates certain situations giving them even more power and overall impact. The score is by the highly talented and gifted composer Nainita Desai, She is a composer that has been creating much interest recently via her TV and film work, and with FOR SAMA she does not disappoint one bit, This is a wonderfully vibrant and atmospheric work, the composer creating delicate and emotive musical nuances and passages throughout. The compositions and the orchestrations are at times mesmeric and alluring, but the score given the subject matter also contains its fair quota of more dramatically led themes and cues.

 

On listening to the score, I am certain this is a fusion of conventional instrumentation and electronic or synthesised elements, which really work well together, both mediums complimenting and giving support to each other. One of my favourite cues is SAMA IS BORN, which is a simple but highly affecting piece, the composer utilising piano, that is supported by strings and electronic underscore, which eventually subsides and leads into solo piano which is joined by a sorrowful but tender sounding cello and violin performances, it is a poignant and totally enveloping composition, which just captures the listeners attention and never lets it go. The same can be said for the cue THE MIRACLE BABY, filled with emotion and a melancholy atmosphere, which converts into a beautiful and haunting theme for piano and strings that introduce and accompany solo violin, which purveys an aura of fragility. Please check this score out it is a varied and powerful work, which deserves every accolade. Go buy it, you will love it. Available on Milan records now, and also available on Spotify.