Birds of War

Local title
Revolutsiooni linnud
Director
Janay Boulos, Abd Alkader Habak
Year
2026
Festival
21st Tartuff
Programme
Subject

A love story told through 13 years of personal archives spanning revolutions, war and exile.

London-based Lebanese journalist Janay and Syrian activist Habak draw on an extraordinary personal archive of text messages, voice recordings, and rare meetings to tell the true story of falling in love amid war, conflict, and dangerous missions.

Their relationship began with a request from Janay to film real stories from the Battle of Aleppo, at a time when international journalists were barred from the besieged city. What started as a professional collaboration grew into a long-distance love that endured separation and flourished in the face of repeated crises.

After receiving the Special Jury Award at Sundance, the film went on to win the Audience Award in Nyon and the Silver Alexander in Thessaloniki. Praised by FIPRESCI critics, this deeply moving documentary has already screened at more than 15 festivals and continues its journey around the world.

Director
Janay Boulos, Abd Alkader Habak
Screenwriter
NA
Cast
Janay Boulos, Abd Alkader Habak
Producer
Sonja Henrici, Abd Alkader Habak, Janay Boulos
Cinematographer
Abd Alkader Habak, Janay Boulos
Editing
Will Hewitt
Production
Habak Films Ltd, Sonja Henrici Creates Ltd
Runtime
Language
Subtitles

Screenings

Screening030218 / Revolutsiooni linnud
SubtitlesEnglish
Screening duration
Trailer