Return from ISIS- a documentary

Little Sam and Laurie

I am not surprised that crime thrillers are many times inspired from real life. I say so because I saw a documentary which felt nothing less than a crime thriller. Yes, ofcourse as viewers, we can only imagine what life would be like in an ISIS territory. But for people in captivity, can life be anything less than a nightmare?

Set in America in 2017, the documentary starts with Laurie, the sister of Sam who was taken to ISIS. She was taken by her muslim immigrant husband of Moroccan origin to the ISIS territory along the Syrian border. She had a lovely little boy of 8 from her previous marriage and the stepfather took good care of him even after the couple had a little daughter. There are many hundred Americans who joined ISIS but the journalist explains what makes Sam's story so different from others. She was taken against her will.

Sam

The documentary is 54 minutes long and there is no moment you would like to fast forward your video to conclude the scene.  Since there is ISIS involved, is there any violence shown that can keep you awake at night? No. It is based purely on emotions and facts through interviews and research. I am appalled at the persistence of the journalist who took four years of his life to cover this particular story.

The journalist

I can only imagine how involved he must have got by the end of this documentary. Just imagine you are following a vlog, have you ever felt that those people are a part of your family? I have. Now, as a passive viewer, if we can get involved with the vloggers, it is unimaginable to me how the journalist and his team must have felt through the journey. Four years is no little time. I saw the little boy Mathew grow up by the time the documentary concludes.

Little Mathew in ISIS territory

Mathew in America, after his escape

There is little you will get about the content of the documentary here. My piece of writing will do little justice to it. I would recommend you go and watch.

For an overview, there is sorrow, longing, indifference, persistence, hollowed hearts, slavery, deception and lie. But as the boy says at last, "No matter how bad the situation is, you will always get through it". I hope that works for everyone who managed to escape this pātāl lok.

Here is the link: 🔗