Tadmor... A Living Testimony to One of the World’s Most Brutal Prisons

In the heart of the Syrian desert, Tadmor Prison stood as a symbol of terror during Hafez al-Assad’s rule. Known for its inhumane conditions and systematic torture, it became infamous, especially after the 1980 massacre, in which hundreds of detainees were executed.
 
The documentary Tadmor (2016), directed by Lokman Slim and Monika Borgmann, revisits this dark chapter through the testimonies of six former Lebanese detainees who endured years of suffering and torture inside this hellish prison.

Using a deeply immersive approach, without archival footage, the film brings these survivors together in an empty warehouse in Germany, where they re-enact their experiences using only their bodies and voices. This minimalist yet powerful technique transports viewers into the psychological and physical horror they endured.

More than just a documentation of suffering, Tadmor serves as a historical testimony to the brutality of oppressive regimes, a reminder never to forget crimes against humanity, and an invitation to discuss justice and accountability in Syria.

It is worth noting that the film was screened at the Bina Cinema in the presence of director Monica Borgmann to talk more about the film, the circumstances of its filming, and the assassination of director Lokman Slim that followed 3 years after its screening.