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Trailer

Return to Homs

2013Movie1 h 27 min

Documentary
84
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb7.6Metacritic858.8Rotten Tomatoes93%84%

A nerve-racking, deeply moving documentary movie about everyday modern life and society, with standout world-building and characters.

Good for thought-provoking · adults · solo watch

Skip it if you want something to laugh at · you need an uplifting mood · graphic violence bothers you

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Not for warmth, comfort or laughs.

Movies with

Story

Filmed over 3 years in Homs, accompanying 2 outstanding young men from the time they were only dreaming of freedom to the time when they are forced to change course. Basset, the 19yo national football team goalkeeper, who became an outspoken demonstration leader in the city, then an icon revolution singer, till he becomes a fighter... a militia leader. Ossama, his 24yo friend, renowned citizen journalist, cynical pacifist... as his views are forced to change, until he is detained by army secret service. It is the story of a city, of which the world have heard a lot, but never really got closer than news, never really had the chance to experience how a war erupted. a modern times epic of youth in war time.

Feels like

  • Gritty War Documentary
  • Syrian Civil War Chronicle
  • Youth Radicalization Arc
  • Intimate Personal Testimony
  • Political Resistance Narrative
  • Raw Footage Aesthetic
  • Tragic Coming-of-Age
  • Journalistic Observation
  • Human Cost of Conflict
  • Historical Archival Value

Crew

Directed by
Talal Derki
Written by
Talal Derki
Produced by
Diana El Jeiroudi

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

November 20, 2013 · 1 h 27 min · Violence, Strong Language, Disturbing Imagery, Suicide Themes

Released
November 20, 2013
Runtime
1 h 27 min
Content
Violence, Strong Language, Disturbing Imagery, Suicide Themes
Genres
Documentary
Original language
Arabic
Made in
Germany, Syria
Available in
20 countries

Q&A

5 questions, like "Where can I stream Return to Homs?"

Questions about Return to Homs

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Return to Homs?

Kanopy

In the United States, Return to Homs is free with ads on Kanopy. You can rent or buy it from Google Play Movies and YouTube.

Is Return to Homs worth watching?

84
GreatGoodWatch score

Yes, it's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 84 (IMDb 7.6, Rotten Tomatoes 93%, and Metacritic 85).

Is Return to Homs plot-driven or character-driven?

CharactersPlot

Mostly character-driven: it leans on character depth (9 of 10) and pathos (9 of 10) more than on its plot.

Will I feel good after watching Return to Homs?

BleakHopeful

Probably not: the title analysis rates it 9 of 10 for bleakness and 8 for melancholy, against 3 for hopefulness.

Is Return to Homs in English?

Arabic

No, it was made in Arabic.