Red Lines is a potent, ground-level documentary that follows two Syrian activists—Razan Shalab al-Sham and Mouaz Moustafa—as they risk everything to support Syria’s democratic uprising and galvanize international solidarity. Capturing the tense and often heartbreaking arc from 2011 through 2014, the film weaves together footage smuggled out of Syria, underground interviews, intimate behind-the-scenes access, and vérité-style filmmaking to document both the collapse of a nation and the fierce resistance that emerged in its place.

Much of the film was shot under extraordinary conditions. Filmmakers worked alongside Razan and Mouaz, embedding with them as they coordinated aid routes, media outreach, and diplomatic lobbying. Key footage from inside Syria was captured by brave citizen journalists and activists at great personal risk, often using handheld devices in areas under siege or threat of bombing. These raw, often shaky visuals are woven with high-quality interviews and meetings in Washington, Istanbul, and refugee camps—showing the full range of strategic movement-building, from war zones to the halls of power.

In the years since, the situation in Syria has shifted dramatically. In December 2024, opposition forces captured Damascus, forcing Bashar al-Assad to flee and effectively ending Ba’athist rule. A transitional government was formed in early 2025, though it continues to face challenges from armed remnants of the former regime and competing visions for Syria’s future.

Razan has continued her work through cross-border humanitarian networks and underground education systems for girls and young women. Mouaz, meanwhile, remains active in global policy advocacy—supporting war crimes accountability efforts and shaping international responses to reconstruction and justice. Both are still fighting for the values that defined the film: dignity, democracy, and the belief that ordinary people can transform history.

Best for older teens and adults. The film includes references to war and repression but avoids graphic violence. It offers powerful lessons in resistance, organizing, and global solidarity.