Feras Fayyad reflects on Assad's fall and Syria's future

Filmmaker Feras Fayyad has spoken about the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Fayyad, who was imprisoned and tortured under Assad's regime, believes the dictator will eventually be removed from power. He asserts that history shows dictatorships and genocides do not last forever. In December, rebel forces took control of Damascus, forcing Assad to flee to Moscow. Fayyad notes that this was a shock to Assad's supporters, who were left without their leader. Their faith in him had been undermined by his sudden departure. The collapse of the regime has allowed many prisoners, who were tortured or disappeared, to be freed. Fayyad himself was imprisoned in 2011 and experienced severe abuse. A Syrian colonel named Anwar Raslan was later arrested in Germany for war crimes, including torture, and faced trial. Fayyad provided crucial testimony, which contributed to Raslan's conviction. Fayyad has won two Academy Awards for his documentaries focused on Syria. He is currently working on two new films. One explores the challenges faced by two lawyers in Syria trying to navigate the oppressive legal system. The other, more personal film will depict Fayyad's own experiences in prison using a mix of animation and real footage. Fayyad has not returned to Syria since Assad's fall but feels he needs time to process everything before going back. He is raising his daughter in Berlin and sees hope for the future of Syria. Despite the challenges faced by the new government, he likens the situation to a "spring breeze" after a harsh winter, suggesting that there is potential for positive change.