Dounia and the Princess of Aleppo is a Canadian and French animated film created by Directors André Kadi and Marya Zarif. It follows the journey of a young Syrian girl named Dounia and her grandparents as they flee their hometown of Aleppo amidst the chaos of the Syrian Civil War.
I just finished watching this amazing movie. This is my recap and review of Dounia and the Princess of Aleppo, complete with movie details, the plot, and the major themes introduced.
Be sure to check out the trailer and more details on Dounia and the Princess of Aleppo’s movie page! As always, read to the end to get my take and impression of what I thought of the movie. Feel free to comment below to let me know what you think of it!
- Title: Dounia and the Princess of Aleppo (French: Dounia et la princesse d’Alep)
- Language: French
- Directors: André Kadi and Marya Zarif
- Runtime: 72 minutes
- Production Countries: Canada, France
- Release Date: 2022
- Premiere: Annecy International Animation Film Festival (June 2022)
Voice Cast
- Rachaf Ataya as Dounia
- Elsa Mardorissian
- Manuel Tadros
- Raia Haidar
- Marya Zarif
- Naim Jeanbart
- Mustapha Aramis
- Houssam Ataya
- Irlande Côté
The plot
Dounia and the Princess of Aleppo follows the journey of a young Syrian girl named Dounia and her grandparents as they flee their hometown of Aleppo amidst the chaos of the Syrian Civil War. Before the family leaves, a neighbor reads their future in a coffee cup. Unfortunately, the reading warned of a difficult journey ahead.
Determined to find a new place to call home, they embark on a dangerous journey filled with challenges and painful moments. Along the way, Dounia encounters various characters who teach her valuable lessons of resilience and hope in the face of adversity.
Dounia finds her way through the tragedies of war and becomes a refugee with her grandparents and family friends. Her courage and determination serve as a beacon of light in the darkness, reminding us of the enduring strength of the human spirit.
Animation Style
Dounia and the Princess of Aleppo contains a blend of traditional and computer-generated animation techniques. The animation and characters were bright and vibrant.
I especially love the animation style in the scenes that showcase the Princess of Aleppo in the night sky. Even Dounia’s black hair sparkled with little stars scattered throughout her hair.
In the beginning of the movie, the Syrian landscape is colorful and markets are shown to be places where people can gather in peace. It also showcases the beauty of the country- especially in the scenes with Dounia’s mother and father.
As the movie moves forward, the landscape shows signs of war- broken houses, rubble, and displaced families. The color is duller and the living conditions get more bleak as the war rages on. This illustrates the devastation and distress that the country and the people are going through.
Every time Dounia threw a magical barake/nigella seed that she got from the spice salesman, the screen would light up with the magical power of the seed. This usually caused the scenario to change in favor of Dounia and the group.
For instance, when Dounia threw a seed near the guards that were preventing the group from leaving Syria, giant trees and foliage grew between the group and the guards, allowing them to pass.
Similarly, When the group was stuck behind another guarded checkpoint with other refugees, Dunia threw another seed. This caused the people to dance and sing, despite the trouble and pain they were experiencing.
The group dances and sings through the checkpoint. At the entrance of the gate, the grandpa, Jeddo Darwich, is whisked into the sky by a magical glowing cloud, surrounded by music.
I laughed when one of the guards tried to call for backup, only to throw his walkie-talkie and join in on the dancing!
The Theme
The film explores themes of resilience, hope, family bonds, and the impact of war. It also shows the displacement of individuals and communities. Dounia was devastated when she separated from her friend and home.
Likewise, Dounia’s grandmother, Téta Mouné, has to separate from her homemade Syrian food and her beloved cheese!
Similarly, the spice salesman is forced to close his business and move his family to a foreign land, full of economic uncertainties. All while caring for his wife and baby son.
Even so, the group got through the hard moments by singing to the sound of the guitar and teaming up with other groups in the face of adversity.
While traveling through Budapest, Hungary, the group gets separated, leaving Dounia and her grandparents to fend for themselves and continue their journey to find a new home.
In one scene, Dounia tries to share her food with a boy on the street and his mother pulls the boy away from her. This scene shows the prejudice that refugees face and how they can be treated when traveling through foreign countries.
Dounia’s journey sheds light on the harsh realities faced by millions of Syrians affected by the ongoing conflict in the region.
My Take
Dounia and the Princess of Aleppo showed me many of the struggles that people face during times of war. For that reason, this story resonates with many who have had to leave everything behind and move their life and family to another country, sometimes with no prior warning or finances.
Dounia’s family was forced to carry heavy luggage and endure sleeping on the side of the road, with little food, medical supplies, or resources. The film portrayed this struggle while also emphasizing the beauty and character of the people.
For instance, Dounia’s mother dies suddenly from an illness, and her father is taken into custody for his political beliefs, forcing Dounia’s grandparents to care for her. Despite this fact, the family continues to push forward and find happiness.
As the daughter of a person who left their war-torn country in search of a better future, I resonate with the feelings of loss and feeling displaced. I am fortunate to have not gone through it personally and I empathize with those who are going through this experience now.
Unfortunately, unlike in the film, we don’t have magical seeds that we can throw to end a war or to change our circumstances in life.
This film is full of powerful and emotional moments. The animation was beautiful and captivating to watch. I enjoyed watching Dounia and the Princess of Aleppo and hope that more people can get a chance to see it.
My favorite Scenes
I couldn’t pick just one favorite scene in the movie, as there were many.
One scene I enjoyed was at the beginning of the film, Dounia was celebrating her birthday, and the grandmother was shown singing and dancing while making Mamounia, a dessert made with Semolina.
It reminded me of my dad who will sing in Arabic while he cooks! This scene shows the joy of eating Middle Eastern food and celebrating with family.
Another scene I enjoyed was Dounia playing with her soap bird. The bird was carved by her grandfather to represent her bird from home. After a rocket destroyed their house, Dounia’s bird, Habibi, was unfortunately killed. Throughout the rest of the movie, Dounia continues to play with a soap bird.
While on the bus, Grandpa Jeddo explains, “For now, we are a little bit like birds.” This scene shows that though life is difficult and constantly changing, like a bird flying in the wind, their life will soon stabilize and get calmer.
My Favorite Characters
I can’t end this article without mentioning my favorite characters in the movie, who are two connected statues that follow the group of refugees.
Their story is told at the beginning of the movie. After an ancient war separated the two friends, they connected once again and their spirits were transferred into two statues after their death, representing the power of connection and friendship.
One of the statues has a type A personality and is witty and factual while the other is a complete coward! Their dynamic adds a lot of comic relief to the plot.
At one point, they provide wisdom to Dounia in a time of need. They encourage her to write a letter to her future home! At times the two statues separate, but always reconnect- symbolizing the bond of friendship.
Impact
Dounia and the Princess of Aleppo has sparked conversations and raised awareness about the Syrian refugee crisis, highlighting the urgent need for global support for those affected by conflict and displacement.
Its message of resilience and hope continues to resonate with people. People around the world are connecting with the experiences of refugees and displaced persons and empathize with their stories.
The film has gotten critical acclaim for its wonderful storytelling, stunning animation, and powerful portrayal of the Syrian refugee experience.
Audiences and critics alike have praised its ability to shed light on an important humanitarian issue while delivering a compelling and emotionally resonant story.
Recommendation
I highly recommend this movie to anyone interested in learning the perspectives and experiences of people who live in a country at war. It beautifully illustrates the power of friendship, family, and resilience.
With its stunning animation and heartfelt moments, Dounia and the Princess of Aleppo offers an unforgettable experience that will resonate with people around the world. If you want more of Dounia, there is a book called Dounia and the Magic Seeds by author, Marya Zarif. Marya Zarif is also the voice of Lina in the film!
What Did You Think?
What did you think of the movie? What were your favorite scenes and characters? Let me know in the comments! I love hearing from you all. Also, be sure to share this article. And as always, Keep watching!
As a movie lover, especially classic 2D animation, I launched this blog as a guide to keep fellow enthusiasts updated on the latest news and information about films and shows. Through Movie Prairie, I strive to share my insights and recommendations, inviting you to explore and appreciate the magic of movies just as much as I do. Join me on this as we delve into the captivating world of film together.
