Japanese film festival showcases heartbreak and hope

Japanese film festival showcases heartbreak and hope

A Syrian filmmaker whose documentary about the refugee experience in Europe has found an unexpected source of inspiration during a trip to Japan. Ammar al-Beik's work was honored at the Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival in October — and during his stay he ran a workshop for local schoolchildren. Those children, who al-Beik describes as "angels," helped bolster his confidence and strength as he continues to heal from the trauma tha…