City of Ghosts

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2:25

City of Ghosts

R

Released Jul 7, 2017

1h 32m

Documentary

War

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Popcornmeter

98%

Tomatometer

102 Reviews

83%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

Syrian rebels who call themselves Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently risk their lives to document the atrocities committed by ISIS in their homeland.

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Critics Consensus

City of Ghosts takes a hard-hitting, ground-level look at atrocities in a part of the world that may seem foreign to many viewers, but whose impact will be no less devastating.

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Suzi Feay

Financial Times

Astonishing viewing - but it will haunt you.

Rated: 5/5

Jun 8, 2018

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Donald Clarke

Irish Times

There are the makings of a gripping story in these elements. But somehow City of Ghosts never quite comes together.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 15, 2017

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Calvin Wilson

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

This film will give you a new appreciation for the freedoms that are often taken for granted in a democracy.

Rated: 3.5/4

Aug 3, 2017

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Brent McKnight

The Last Thing I See

Vital and insistent, "City of Ghosts" is a movie that haunts you long after walking out of the theater.

Rated: A

Jul 1, 2020

Full Review

Steven Prokopy

Third Coast Review

As powerful a profile on courage and the war on terror as you'll ever see.

May 11, 2020

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Elissa Suh

MUBI

City of Ghosts works urgently...the grainy and grisly images contrast deeply with the Islamic State's own slick filmic efforts that ironically and blatantly mimic the language of Hollywood movies with unsettling efficiency.

Feb 27, 2020

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Matthew R

Excellent film. Terrifying expose. These are the things Americans should be involved in, altruistic not financial.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/05/25

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Audience Member

A close look at one of the most tragic and disgusting terrorist acts in modern history, and a holy war which still rages to this day, City Of Ghosts attempts to shed light on a part of the world being completely ignored by mainstream media. The RBSS group are an incredible brave bunch, reaching out for help in a climate which would see their heads blown off if the stretch too high above their shelter. The documentary flags somewhere towards the idle, when it takes a bizarre digress and gets almost completely off topic. The best parts are the hidden camera footage, because they expose the grim and brutal truth without editing or filter, cutting right to the cold hard fact that a once peaceful city has been brought to its knees by savagery and corrupted faith. Not always consistently engaging, but definitely a worthwhile watch, especially if you have any interest in the ongoing crisis.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

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Audience Member

With the advent of technology, ISIS now has the capability to produce slick, glossy recruitment videos with a Hollywood sheen - making these journalists' work even more important. This is a painful, brutal, devastating documentary that leaves one furious at the evil that men perpetuate, and highlights the absolute essential nature of a free press. Bewarned: There are beheaded bodies, crucifixions, point-blank executions, and, perhaps most disturbing of all, a toddler decked out in military garb, beaming proudly as she beheads a large stuffed animal in a murder lesson.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/10/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Fav doc of 2017. Another one snubbed. ???????

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/10/23

Full Review

Audience Member

More people need to see this, horrific in parts but really eye opening

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/10/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I understand Syria so much more now

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

Full Review

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Matthew Heineman

Director

Aziz

Actor

Mohamad Almusari

Actor

Hamoud Almousa

Actor

Fuad Hasan

Actor

Hussam

Actor

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City of Ghosts: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Syrian rebels who call themselves Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently risk their lives to document the atrocities committed by ISIS in their homeland.

Director: Matthew Heineman
Producer: Matthew Heineman
Distributor: Amazon Studios, IFC Films
Production Co: Our Time Projects, Jigsaw Prods.
Rating: R (Some Language|Disturbing Violent Content)
Genre: Documentary, War
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 7, 2017, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 26, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $124.5K
Runtime: 1h 32m

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