Behind the Scenes of ‘Birds of War’: Janay Boulos Shares the Love Story Amidst Conflict at CPH:DOX
"Birds of War" Documentary Highlights Resilience Amidst Violence
"Birds of War," directed by Janay Boulous and Abd Alkader Habak, explores the resilient nature of love amidst conflict, winning four awards at the Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival in Greece, following its Special Jury Award at Sundance earlier this year. The film chronicles the unexpected romance between Boulous, a Lebanese, and Habak, a Syrian, set against a backdrop of war.
“Our film began in 2016 when I was in Aleppo working as a cameraman,” Habak noted in a video made for Sundance, while Boulos shared, “I was working as a journalist in London at the BBC.”
Their paths crossed by chance when Boulos, seeking footage on the Syrian civil war, turned to Habak for his unique perspective. He provided a range of video content, from lighter human interest stories—such as a man maintaining a rooftop garden amid destruction—to more harrowing scenes of bombings in civilian areas.
“Our film explores the tension between documenting truth and living it, using raw footage and deeply personal archives,” Boulos explained. “Ours is a story of resilience and displacement and the fragile beauty of human connection.”
Initially, the documentary was intended to follow a more political narrative. However, as Boulos reflected on the storytelling process, she realized the emotional aspects were more compelling. “I had to take off my journalist hat and start to think with my partner and our team on what is really the story,” she said. With the help of editorial collaborators, the focus shifted to their love story, illustrating the broader political landscape in Lebanon and Syria.
The documentary features a wealth of footage that Habak amassed over years, providing an intimate look at life in a war-torn region from various perspectives. Boulos’s visits to Lebanon to see her family—who have endured decades of instability—add to the narrative depth.
Boulos disclosed her struggles with illuminating her relationship to her parents, who may have reservations about her involvement with a Syrian due to longstanding sectarian divides. “Tribalism along sectarian lines has long been a reality in both Lebanon and Syria,” she noted.
In her remarks, Boulos emphasized the broader struggles faced by individuals in conflict zones. “This is how we’re being controlled… When there’s not a functioning government protecting you… you become weakened and all you have is religion,” she added.
Recently, the situation in Lebanon has escalated, marked by Israeli airstrikes that have resulted in significant casualties. Boulos expressed her despair over the ongoing violence, stating, “It’s going to create more trauma… more hate, more division.” She remarked on the historic pressures faced by southern Lebanon, voicing concern over intentions to displace communities.
Despite the bleak backdrop, there exists a glimmer of hope. As Boulos remarked, “Making the documentary represents an inherent act of hope—showing the possibility of love in a landscape of political and sectarian violence.”
In sharing "Birds of War," Boulos hopes to connect with audiences worldwide, using her privilege to amplify their story. “I want to use this time to talk to people… to share what we’re going through,” she affirmed.
