Documentary
Refugees, Women's Issues
120 min

Batata

DIRECTOR: Noura Kevorkian

Format: 2K
Runtime: 120 min

10 years in the life of a Syrian refugee

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2022: 10th anniversary of the Syrian Refugee Crisis. With over 13 million displaced it remains the largest forced migration crisis of our times, but sadly not the last. Shot over 10 years, Syrian-Lebanese director Noura Kevorkian follows the plight of Maria and her family unable to return to their hometown in Syria. Unique among refugee stories, BATATA captures an entire decade, documenting the unbending spirit of a woman who puts family first.

AWARDS
  • Audience Award TOP 10 Films - HOT DOCS
  • DGC Special Jury Prize (Honourable Mention) - HOT DOCSS
  • Winner Award for Best Pitch - DUBAI INTERNATIONAL
OFFICIAL SELECTIONS 
  • International Competition FIPADOC, France
  • Juried Competition HOTDOCS
  • Amnesty International Award Nomination THESSALONIKI
  • International Competition É TUDO VERDADE / IT’S ALL TRUE, Brazil
  • Official Selection, GALWAY
  • Official Selection DOC EDGE
  • Official Competition DOK.fest MUNICH

“Kevorkian’s eye for human interaction, and particularly between children, is remarkable… An extraordinary film.” - Marc Glassman, POV Magazine

“A beautiful film, and really powerful." - Matt Galloway, CBC The Current (start: 46’14”)

"An incredible hairpin turn!" - John Moore, Newstalk 1010

“A fascinating story and film" - Ben O'Hara-Byrne, Corus Radio

REVIEWS
POV Magazine ("BATATA - Extraordinary Work Ten Years in the Making")
Original Cin ("Top Picks for World's Biggest Doc Festival")
Classical FM ("Hot Docs Exemplary Picks")
POV Magazine ("BATATA Holds Top Spot in Audience Award Race")
 
PRINT
The Globe & Mail - Op Ed ("The Syrian Refugee Crisis Still Requires Our Urgent Attention")
Women and Hollywood ("Meet Noura Kevorkian - BATATA")
Original Cin ("BATATA Director on Life at a Lebanese Potato Farm/Refugee Camp through Syria and ISIS")
UNHCR News ("Canadian Filmmaker Chronicles the Life of a Syrian Refugee Family in Lebanon")
Hollywood North Magazine ("Noura Kevorkian Shares a Ten-Year Refugee Journey")
 
RADIO/PODCASTS
CBC Radio - The Current (start: 46:14)
Corus Radio - A Little More Conversation ("New Documentary Highlights Syrian Refugee Crisis")
Newstalk 1010 ("Noura Kevorkian Witnesses First Hand Repercussions of the Syrian War")
 
TV
Global News ("Chat with Director of BATATA")
CP24 (Interview with Noura Kevorkian)
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