She braved bombs to save lives

Dr Amani Ballour opens up about the Oscar-nominated documentary of the years she spent running a hospital in Syria

Syrian paediatrician Amani Ballour in Paris. The documentary The Cave is about her leading a fortified underground hospital in Syria. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
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The Cave tells the moving story of Dr Amani Ballour, a heroic young doctor who ran an underground hospital in war-torn Syria, caring for the wounded as bombs and chemical attacks rained down upon them.

The critically acclaimed film shows her and fellow medics saving thousands of lives - all while being criticised and disrespected because women are not supposed to work in their patriarchal society.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on February 06, 2020, with the headline She braved bombs to save lives. Subscribe