Karama Has No Walls recounts the gruesome attacks that unfolded on Mar. 18, 2011, now referred to as the Friday of Dignity, when pro-government forces killed more than 50 peaceful anti-government civilians and injured hundreds more using snipers on Change Square in Yemen’s capital of Sana’a.

 To many, the event redefined the Yemeni revolution. 

The film offers a touching glimpse into the events that unfolded on Yemen’s Friday of Dignity, and it is guaranteed to make viewers emotional with its powerful footage shot right from Change Square that historic day. 

Sara Ishaq, Ameen Al-Ghaberi and Hot Spot Films produced the movie. Ishaq was in Yemen working on another documentary chronicling the activism of Yemeni women in the revolution when the attacks occurred. 

She felt obligated to produce Karama Has No Walls in order to save the live footage from the attacks she managed to capture.  

In the film, a father who lost his son in the attacks, notes that his child helped launch a revolution —dying for a worthy cause.  Demonstrators fought back courageously that day by throwing stones at the pro-government forces. 

The film features the tragic story of a young child, Saleem Al-Harazi, who lost his eyesight in the attacks. His father speaks about how Saleem’s condition has taken a toll on the family. 

The film is nominated in the Documentary Short category for this weekend’s Academy Awards. 

– Natasha Dado