Amidst air strikes and bombings, a group of female doctors in Ghouta, Syria struggle with systemic sexism while trying to care for the injured using limited resources.Amidst air strikes and bombings, a group of female doctors in Ghouta, Syria struggle with systemic sexism while trying to care for the injured using limited resources.Amidst air strikes and bombings, a group of female doctors in Ghouta, Syria struggle with systemic sexism while trying to care for the injured using limited resources.
- Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 21 wins & 24 nominations total
- Director
- Writers
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Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe Cave was shortlisted for the Documentary Feature Oscar, but director Feras Fayyad was denied a visa to the United States to attend events to promote his film.
- Quotes
Amani Ballour: The idea of moving underground was simple. As simple as the death lurking on the surface. The cause of that death is clear and simple too. As simple as the urge to survive. As a doctor, I've witnesses so many tragedies, so much suffering. So many lies. It made us search for a way to survive.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The Oscars (2020)
- SoundtracksThe Cave original song
Written by Alisar Hasan, Feras Fayyad
Vocals by Rasha Rizk
Produced by Mathew Herbert
Directed by Feras Fayyad, his documentary offers ample evidence of war crimes committed by Bashar Regime against its own citizens, including use of chemical weapons, but the presentation isn't up to the mark. Several segments look as if they were rehearsed before filming, and are lacking the spontaneity that makes them click.
Amidst the daily airstrikes & bombings, it also sheds light on the systemic sexism as even in an environment where death lurks above, a man feels an obligation to tell a female doctor why she should be at home instead of trying to save human lives. But this element is also later overplayed by the director as if he just wanted to drive a point home.
Like any documentary covering the subject of war, The Cave is graphic, disturbing & uncomfortable. Yet unlike most Syrian documentaries, it has a more polished & refined quality, almost like a feature film shot in an active war zone. It is also way more focused on a single person than the collective effort yet unlike For Sama, it is lacking that raw, personal touch.
Overall, The Cave is as gripping as it is heartbreaking but its impact is rather short lived. There are some tense moments that are expertly documented, including the gas attack that's just soul-shattering, but its narrative lacks a compelling structure and becomes repetitive after a while. Bringing to light the brutal reality of doctors operating in labyrinth of caves beneath a war-torn city, The Cave is worth a shot.
- CinemaClown
- Feb 16, 2020
- How long is The Cave?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Official site
- Languages
- Also known as
- 黑暗中的曙光:洞穴醫院
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $62,625
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $21,185
- Oct 20, 2019
- Gross worldwide
- $288,764
- Runtime1 hour 47 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.39 : 1