Oscar-nominated doc 'The White Helmets' captures rescuers' heroism in Syria

Members of the Syrian Civil Defence, known as the White Helmets, evacuate a child during a training session in the rebel-held eastern Ghouta area, east of the capital Damascus, on November 22, 2016. / AFP / AMER ALMOHIBANY (Photo credit should read AMER ALMOHIBANY/AFP/Getty Images)

The Netflix original short documentary, "The White Helmets" is set in Aleppo, Syria and Turkey in early 2016.

As the violence of the Civil War intensifies, the filmmakers follow three volunteer rescue workers as they put everything on the line to save civilians affected by the war, all the while wracked with worry about the safety of their own loved ones. Directed by Oscar-nominated Orlando von Einsiedel (and producer Joanna Natasegara), the documentary is both a snapshot of the harrowing realities of life for ordinary Syrians who remain in the country, and a humbling portrait of first responders.

KPCC will have interviews with each of the Academy nominees in the category of Best Documentary Short Film.

Guest:

Orlando von Einsiedel, Director, “The White Helmets;” von Einsiedel’s past credits include the Oscar-nominated feature documentary “Virunga” about attempts to save mountain gorillas in the Congo