Last Men in Aleppo (2017) (2024)

Popular reviews

• Review by davidehrlich ★★★½

  During the dull bits of Firas Fayyad’s heroically banal “Last Men in Aleppo,” the parts when the bombs fall like white noise and the babies of Syria are buried beneath the rubble like statistics, my mind kept returning to a famous observation from Kurt Vonnegut’s “Slaughterhouse-Five.” If you grew up in the American school system, you probably know what I’m talking about — it’s a childishly simple sentiment, but one that can’t be improved upon, only reiterated and reapplied:

  “There is nothing intelligent to say about a massacre. Everybody is supposed to be dead, to never say anything or want anything ever again. Everything is supposed to be very quiet after a massacre, and it always is, except for the birds. And what do the birds say? All there is to say about a massacre, things like ‘Poo-tee-weet?’”

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• Review by Matthew B. ★★★½

  Firas Fayyad's Last Men in Aleppo covers much of the same ground as last year's Oscar-winning documentary short, The White Helmets, but it does so with even greater detail and cinematic craft. While I was nervous that this would be simply a feature-length retread of last year's territory, I was pleased to find that this film still felt entirely worthwhile and valuable.

  Fayyad's film follows three leaders of "The White Helmets," a Syrian civilian group tasked with saving lives from the rubble and destruction that plagues their country. We see Khaled Omar Harrah, Subhi Alhussen, Mahmoud, and other members of the White Helmets as they pull survivors and corpses from beneath the ruins of Aleppo, risking their own lives in…

• Review by SnowboardJunkie ★★★★½ 3

  In my house all three kids, wife and I like to sit at the dinner table at night and each person tell a story about their past for everyone to learn about or just something special from their day. And then we all think of one question, a “what if question”. My two oldest, son at 5 & daughter at 7 almost always ask questions such as “if you could be an animal what you be” Or “if you could have your favorite food free anytime you wanted what would you pick”. Silly stuff but fun, right?! The night after I watched L.M.I.A we did this again per usual. But when it came to my son’s turn he had one of…

• Review by Doug Dillaman ★★★★

  Almost unbearably sad and powerful. Now imagine filming it. Now imagine living it.

  This real-time document of the work of the White Helmets focuses on two members in particular as the siege on Aleppo slowly grinds its way to a breaking point. Having recently watched 78/52 and being freshly reminded of Hitchcock's "bomb under the table for 5 minutes" adage, this film - because it's what fucking happened, criminally, horribly - is based on the notion that "bombs may fall from the sky at any time for 104 minutes". It is deeply nightmarish and deeply exhausting - and I am fully aware that this may sound like a criticism of the most callow kind, because, again, now imagine living it…

• Review by Jacob ★★½

  As always, this rating is a reflection of my experience with the film, not its broader political significance. Fayyad showcases and potentially exploits the suffering of the Syrian people through some incredibly brutal and horrific images, and I can't deny the power of documentaries like this -- Last Men in Aleppo has inherent worth as a representation of violence so often ignored as a means of calling out irresponsible, apathetic government. I'm glad it exists, but from a filmmaking standpoint, it does not package its material well. It's such a strange feeling to be horrified and bored at the same time. Even with a somewhat shorter runtime, the poor structure and sequencing just makes this 90 minutes of unpleasantness that didn't culminate in much. I'm glad if this movie frustrates governments, but as a viewer, it didn't do much for me.

  Rating: 50/100

• Review by Mr. DuLac ★★★★

  Seeing people who have the constant threat of death looming over their heads still somehow manage to find small moments of joy (taking kids to playground, singing with friends, ect) kinda puts things into perspective. Stop throwing a tantrum because a movie you hate might win Best Picture.

• Review by Omar ★★★ 3

  O&O Take Over the World: 30 Days, 30 Countries

  Day 12: Syria

  "Shame on the Arab leaders."

  How painfully ironic it is to be sitting here and writing this review with my TV in the background discussing the "historic" peace deal currently being signed between the US, Israel, Bahrain and the UAE. A bullshit, meaningless deal claiming to bring peace to the Middle East that in reality does nothing for the millions of oppressed civilians that are suffering in the region.

  In Last Men in Aleppo, the situation is no different. The killings of innocent civilians are being perpetuated by a government that has turned a complete blind eye towards its citizens, and the results are horrific, harrowing and extremely…

• Review by Aaron Bartuska ★★★★★

  If you've ever wondered what the purpose of film as a medium is, look no further than 'Last Men in Aleppo.'

  Never before have I had such a strong and immediate realization of the immense amount of good human beings can do in the midst of the horrors others inflict on them.

  This is such an important film, one that demands and deserves to be seen. Easily one of 2017's best.

• Review by milesdinou ★★★★½

  This film reduced me to my flesh and bones.

  It touched me and disturbed me so much that I actually had to pause it and take breaks. It's pretty intense shit.

  It's so depressing that this is happening in Aleppo, and it is up to Generation Z to aide Syrians and other people in need out of crisis' like this one.

  It really makes you re-evaluate your whole life.

  One of the best films of 2017. Went under so many people's radar. Check this one out people, it's not one to miss.

• Review by anna ★★★½ 2

  this was too painful and absolutely heartbreaking. this is not a film of fiction, these people are not actors and there isn't a director to shout "cut!" whenever somebody is shot or a building falls over them. these are real human beings, this is a real war and this is happening at this very moment. im so fucking mad the media isn't calling enough attention to what's happening and countries all over the world are doing absolutely NOTHING to help syria – instead, men like the ones shown in this film are sacrificing their lives for their country because they were born and raised there and syria is theirs. they are helping the ones in need but nonetheless fear for…

• Review by Zainal Al-Qautsar ★★★★

  Last Men In Aleppo begins with shots of fish swimming through murky water, it doesn't look healthy and carries a feeling of threat. The fish motif will recur throughout Feras Fayyad harrowing but essential documentary, serving to add an artistic and memorable dimension to a catalogue of human suffering. The people of Aleppo are, like the fish, caught in a bowl from which it is very difficult to escape and even if they do—they risk death.

  Faced with fresh bomb sites and mass destruction on a daily basis, Fayyad shows that there is little for the men to be joyful about. They are living in hell, one where finding a baby alive beneath piles of rubble only reminds them of…

• Review by Jay D 's Watching ★★★½

  Depressing.