User reviews

I sincerely have mixed feelings about this documentary. On one hand, I appreciate the effort that these film makers have put in to revealing what life is like in a refugee camp, and telling the stories of the people who live there. However, I still have some major issues with the way in which they have gone about this project. At the beginning of the film, I was very interested in the idea that Zach and Chris would be experiencing life in Za'atari just as others in the camp do. I was disappointed when they began to explain that they would have a camera crew and a translator with them instead. From this point forward, it seemed like they were merely experiencing 'Za'atari lite', the refugee camp without the hardship and danger that goes along with it. In this way, some of the procedures they went through to register officially as residents in the camp became almost trivial. While Zach and Chris had all of their documents and IDs, often times people who have been forced to flee the fighting in Syria and elsewhere may not have these documents to present. They also received a tent, mattresses, food and other supplies from the UNHCR like any other refugees, but the crew also had other supplies packed for the trip which allowed them to be more comfortable than others in the camp. Even still, they were not allowed to stay in the camp at night due to the danger of being robbed or harmed. What about the people who don't have the choice to leave? Rather than experiencing the bitter cold of a desert at night, the crew was able to sleep in an office building in a nearby city. I can accept that it would be much more difficult to produce such a high quality documentary if they were to truly embrace the lifestyle that many in these camps have to lead, but I believe that they could have done more, like learning Arabic to interact with people in the camp in a more authentic way instead of using a translator, or learning more about cultural intricacies and manners before plunging themselves into the unfamiliar environment. Criticism of their 'American tourist' behavior is warranted. Despite my many reservations, I still believe that this film deserves some credit. After watching the documentary, I cannot deny that I was touched by its humanization of people within the camp and efforts to familiarize the viewer with the support efforts that these camps have been working toward. The people they chose to portray helped this image of innocence and relatability, (which is somewhat problematic in itself), but it allowed for the viewer to empathize. A documentary like this one can draw out support for organizations like the UNHCR and others, and it did just that. However, in its pursuit to tell the truth, it told half.

"Salam Neighbor" presents an insider's view of refugees living inside a camp as well as refugees trying to rebuild their lives in a new city. The filmmakers tell compassionate stories of Syrians forced to flea their home. All of the stories are compelling and give a small glimpse into the lives of these individuals--families walking through the night to escape, a father trying to provide for his family, women who gather together to support each other, and a young boy struggling to go to school. I came away with a new understanding of resilient people whose fierce struggles have not undermined their determination to live, love, and hope for the future--all people deserve dignity. I highly recommend this film.

Like many people, I hear about Syrian refugees on the news all the time, but I've never really had an opportunity to dig in. It always feels like too heavy of an issue for me to really make a difference or wrap my head around it.

What I loved about this film is that it shows you what's happening to the actual people themselves — without getting bogged down in all the politics and history. If you'd asked me to describe what a refugee camp was like, I never could have told you anything before. Now I have a clear picture of what it means to be in a refugee camp — and the impact this is having on real people.

It's a fantastic film, I highly recommend it. I love that you get to know real people who are actually living in the camp. And it tells their stories without overly dramatizing them. The film lets the stories tell themselves.

I loved it. Definitely worth watching.

I had the privilege to see this amazing documentary at my local movie theater recently. The Syrian refugee crisis is one of the most important issues facing our world right now. These brilliant young filmmakers have given us a valuable look into the experience of millions of Syrians forced to flee their homes, and goes beyond the statistics to demonstrate that each one is a person not so different from ourselves.

This is a film that deserves worldwide distribution immediately, while we have a chance to make a difference!

Check out their first film, Living on One, as well!

"Salam Neighbor" is simply brilliant and allows you to become immersed, as you watch this riveting and heart-wrenching documentary. Chris and Zach are dropped off smack-dab in the middle of the worst humanitarian crisis of our time since World War II. It is their genuine love of their fellow human beings that gives them the strength, courage and fortitude to take on these huge "let's eradicate poverty and solve world peace" types of humanitarian projects.

As you watch the film, you grow to love these incredible young film-makers and also feel so much emotion and empathy for the Syrian people that Zach and Chris are both honored to befriend. The Syrians are truly resilient people who have literally created "something out of nothing", as you will see when you drive down the "Champs-Elysee" with Zach and Chris as your tour guides. The Syrians are extremely loving and generous people and take care of Chris and Zach as if they were their own sons. You will meet so many incredible people on this journey and I promise you, you will never forget them. The impact of this film will stay in your heart and soul and possibly move you to do more to help our global neighbors. This is a must-see film for humanitarians of all ages! Follow Chris and Zach's lead and become the change you want to see in this world.

Salam Neighbor does a beautiful job of addressing a critical topic in an enlightening and personal way. The filmmakers/hosts, Zach Ingrasci and Chris Temple do an incredible job of put a human face to the refugee crisis afflicting Syria and build a sense of humanity and global connection in a uniquely profound way.

In Salam Neighbor, American documentarians Zach and Chris move into a the largest Syrian refugee camp operating in Jordan, forming friendships and exploring the relationships of refugees choosing to live both within the camp and in the Jordanian cities surrounding. The depth of the connections they make by being so deeply embedded within the community create a poignant picture of the personal realities and struggles faced by refugees in this conflict and around the world. With tremendous humility and earnestness, the film tells the personal stories of a broad range of individuals swept up in the crisis in an unforgettable way.

Constantly touching, occasionally laugh out loud funny, undoubtedly tear jerking, and ultimately intensely moving, it is impossible not to come away from this film changed. This movie should be required viewing for absolutely everyone.

the movie was not that bad but it was full of white saviour sentiments. it was clearly made for a western audience whose hungry for compassion and emotions. i'm not going to go in details about all the flaws in this documentary, but their creators seemed ignorant of the situation especially of the history and beliefs of syrian people, syrian people are some of the most educated people in the region, but the creators were condescending and were obviously under the idea that they are uneducated poor people.

i'll stop here because i'm not sure id i'm making any sense to be honest.

Zach and Chris are truly amazing individuals, as can be directly observed through this documentary. Salam Neighbor opened my eyes to the depth of the Refugee Crisis. The fact that Zach and Chris actually stayed in the camp and lived like refugees, made it especially effective and powerful! As a result of this movie, I am now volunteering with IRC, a refugee placement organization in Seattle. It doesn't get any more Powerful than that!! This documentary, will help to spread the word of the extent of the Syrian Refuge crisis and get more people involved through either volunteering or with cash donations to organizations like IRC, International Rescue Committee. It is an excellent documentary on all levels.

Salam Neighbor is a brilliantly constructed look at the Syrian Refugee Crisis and the broader plight of refugees worldwide. Every minute of this beautifully shot film had me thoroughly engaged and constantly learning. These filmmakers approach every situation with an openness and curiosity that is thrilling and insightful to follow. They bring you on their journey, exposing and connecting you to the people who are affected by this crisis, what they think, what life really looks like, what their hopes are, and mostly, how similar those hopes and dreams are to our own. No amount of media coverage has given me this quality of education and connection. I was left with a clearer understanding of the possibilities for improving conditions for these people. This film is an engaging and valuable choice for any age viewer.

Salam Neighbor is truly a life changing documentary. It gave me a new level of understanding and compassion into a world I couldn't even begin to comprehend before. Zach and Chris became a bridge that brought home the reality that behind the numbers we read about, are individual people with hopes and dreams. I highly recommend watching this film with others as it is a poignant conversation starter. The film continues to provoke questions of what can I do to get involved in finding solutions and awareness of the realities of the conditions that so many people are being forced to deal with - not only in Jordan, but around the world.

Salam Neighbor is truly an inspiring film that opens your eyes to the truths about refugees. This powerful documentary follows refugees in Syria and allows the viewer to empathize with them. The story brings you on a heart throbbing/ tear jerking journey that makes you want to get up an do something about it. Before I saw this film, I didn't feel a connection to the refugees across the world. The media portrays refugees more of a burden rather than a serious situation that needs to be addressed. I found myself wanting to take action immediately and create a change. The film allows you to feel a connection with people hundreds and thousands of miles away. The documentary was extremely well shot and pieced together. I particularly loved the focus on a few main characters of the story. It allows you to develop a good sense of who these people are and realize that they are just like you and me, but happened to face a terrible situation in their homeland. This documentary gets a solid 10/10 stars, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants real information on the refugee situation happening all across our world.

My high school had screening of Salam Neighbor and we sold out our small auditorium with 300 seats. Even after seeing it twice, this documentary is still so moving and the message is an important one.

I think it's important that this film be seen by as many people as possible, it's not political or religious so it's not meant to be controversial. Because of this, the film effectively tugs the heart strings of all audience members and is relatable for a wide age range.

I would recommend this film to other high school students, my teachers, neighbors, and even younger children. It gives the audience a greater understanding of the plight of refugees and is definitely a film that can effect changes in perspective.

I highly recommend Salam Neighbor to anyone and everyone looking to gain insight to the things happening in the world all around us.

The Syrian refugee crises has been a hot topic of the media for a while. Bomb blasts and images of destruction litter screens around the world. But "Salam Neighbor" does not just view the Syrian crises...it lives it. It captures the daily struggles and the blanketed hope that these people need to stay alive and spirited in the face of destruction and death. It really makes you reflect life here in the US. It will change your perspective on the crises and on how you view your own life. It's a journey in itself, watch it for them. Refugees deserve having the world be aware of them at the very least. Incredible.

Again, self-laundering efforts.

very open to be influenced by a lot of movies and documentaries made in the country's politics.

Contrived, an American documentary is inconsistent. Even Wikipedia and the people reach the actual data and statistical information.

Image and story beautifully arranged. The narrative also has a well-chosen characters.

There are a few issues that I see missing. Described "refugee" does not impact any information about domestic and foreign policy of any discrepancies.

Salam Neighbor is such an amazing documentary that opens our eyes to the world of the Syrian refugee camp and the lives of the refugees. Thanks to Zach and Chris' incredible work, you feel like you are actually inside the camp and are living through the daily challenges that these people face every day. Salam Neighbor allows us to see just how terrible this crisis has really been and it hits us deep in the heart especially when we see how it affects the children. This film is one of the most powerful documentaries I have ever seen and we must have these kinds of films shown as many places as possible. So, we can learn and be moved and inspired to make a change. Because after all, as Zach and Chris showed us, we, human beings, are the same. We all want to have peace, love and happiness in our lives and we all want a secure home. I pray that as more people watch Salam Neighbor, we finally come to find the solution to the Syrian crisis, so that our neighbors can have their home, peace, love and happiness back once and for all.

In this compelling film, Chris and Zack take us on a heartfelt journey into the lives of Syrian refugees in a Jordanian refugee camp. Through immersive storytelling, they give us insight into life in the camp. They closely follow the lives of several men, women and children who live there, and also outside the camp in the city of Mafraq. This is a real look into trauma, loss, and courage, as well as an appeal for help, one human to another. I gained a new understanding of a crisis and of a people who are often depicted as terrorists. It left me with an enormous respect and compassion for the courage of a people who have been forced to leave their homes, and a renewed commitment to add my voice to those who advocate for the refugees. I was particularly struck by the basic human right of "dignity" that we, as an international community, so often forget. At a time when the situation in the middle east is of such fundamental importance to us all, this movie provides an insight into the real story. Chris and Zack tell their stories with humility, humor and a relatability that deeply touches our hearts. Everyone should see this film.

Salam Neighbor does an amazing job at addressing the Syrian refugee crisis. It's incredibly moving! This film touches on so much more than I have ever experienced on the news, etc. and is raw, emotional, and heart-wrenching. As you watch the film, you become attached to the refugees that took Chris and Zach under their wing and treated them like family.

I believe it is a film that everyone should see! It's truly riveting, astonishing, and catches your attention, that's for sure.

First with Living on One and now this! Zach and Chris are two brave filmmakers that never seize to amaze.

Definitely a must see!!