Virtual reality films plunge viewers into Syrian refugees’ reality

AMMAN — Using virtual reality to help the world understand the plight of Syrian refugees was the purpose behind the recently released “Dreaming in Zaatari: Stories after Syria” film project, produced by World Vision in partnership with Al Jazeera’s virtual reality studio Contrast VR.

Launched alongside seven short 360 films written, directed and shot by refugee children under the title "7 Stories for 7 Years", "Dreaming in Zaatari" provides an immersive insight into the stories of several young Syrians living in Zaatari camp, who shared their hopes and dreams about the future. 

One of the participants and aspiring filmmaker, 18-year-old wife and mother Marah remembered: “When I first arrived to Zaatari, I didn’t care for anything. But, after receiving photography and film training, it became my dream to become a professional filmmaker.”

She voiced her hope to make use of her training in 360 video to film “a great film about life here in the camp”, stressing: “My message to every young woman in the world is: do not stop dreaming for any reason.”

“For millions of children, life as a refugee is all they know. Syria is a place their parents talk about and they hear of in the news,” said Director of World Vision’s Syria Response Wynn Flaten, stressing that “children aren’t mere victims, though, they bring a perspective and insight to crises that can shock and inspire decision-makers and adults around the world. That’s why this project matters to us, and them”.

The films were directed by Contrast VR’s editorial lead Zahra Rasool, who made use of VR animations to bring the refugees’ stories to life, transforming the spaces around them.

“When World Vision approached us, we saw an invaluable opportunity,” explained Contrast VR’s Joi Lee, adding, “These young Syrians have grown up under constant news coverage of their plight, but rarely have they been given the opportunity to share their stories and shape news coverage. It was clear they had their own stories they wanted to share.”

"By training a group of young storytellers in VR filmmaking, Contrast VR contributed in bringing their perspectives to life in an intimate and visceral medium,” Lee, who trained the seven first-time filmmakers in immersive shooting, said.

"Refugees undertook a one-week training in 360 films, where they learned how to direct and shoot immersive movies using Samsung 360 cameras," explained Zena Khoury, Syria communications officer at World Vision, noting that the release came to mark the seventh anniversary of the conflict in Syria, which has left more than 5.6 million people fleeing Syria to neighbouring countries like Jordan.

The films, which were post-produced by Contrast VR’s Maria Fernanda Lauret, are part of the studio's ongoing initiative “My People, Our Stories", a project to train and equip young, diverse filmmakers to produce VR storytelling from within their communities, a statement by World Vision said.

All films can be viewed across World Vision’s social media channels, and on Al Jazeera English, Al Jazeera Arabic, AJ+, Contrast VR and Samsung’s social media channels, according to a joint statement.