‘Birds of War’ Documentary Tells the True Love Story of Two Journalists Amid Conflict

The award-winning documentary Birds of War has been released in cinemas across the United Kingdom, bringing audiences a powerful real-life story of love, resilience, and journalism set against the backdrop of war in Syria and political unrest in Lebanon.

The documentary follows the lives of Janae Boulos, a former BBC journalist based in London, and Abdulqader Habak, a Syrian photojournalist and cameraman from Aleppo. Their story began in 2016 during the final months of the Battle of Aleppo, when Boulos contacted Habak to obtain video footage for news coverage.

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What started as a professional relationship gradually turned into a personal one. Through countless text messages and voice notes exchanged while covering conflicts in different countries, the two developed a deep bond. They later married and eventually settled in London, where they continue their work as journalists and filmmakers.

Birds of War combines personal videos, war footage, and private messages to tell an emotional story of two people whose relationship grew despite the constant challenges of conflict, displacement, and distance. The film also highlights the devastating impact of the Syrian civil war, the humanitarian crisis in Aleppo, and the 2019 protests in Lebanon through the eyes of those who experienced these events firsthand.

Speaking about the documentary, Janae Boulos said that news headlines often focus on fear and destruction, while the personal stories behind the headlines help people better understand the human side of conflict. She believes empathy grows when audiences connect with the lives of those affected by war.

Abdulqader Habak, who was forced to leave Syria in 2017, has been able to return several times since political changes in 2024. Meanwhile, Boulos left the BBC to pursue independent documentary filmmaking and continues to travel regularly to Lebanon. Together, they remain committed to telling stories that highlight the realities of people living through conflict.

The documentary has already received international recognition, winning the Special Jury Award at the Sundance Film Festival. Its title, Birds of War, comes from the nickname the two journalists used for each other while reporting from dangerous conflict zones.

The film offers an emotional reminder that even in the darkest moments of war, hope, love, and humanity can still survive.