Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows FanStore News Showtimes

Simple as Water

Play trailer Poster for Simple as Water 2021 1h 39m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
100% Tomatometer 7 Reviews 75% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Epic in scope but intimate and elegant in feel, SIMPLE AS WATER is a meditation on the elemental bonds between parent and child. A masterful look at the impact of war, separation and displacement, the film takes audiences into Syrian families' quests for normalcy and through the whirlwind of obstacles -- to building life anew. Filmed over the course of five years in five countries including Turkey, Greece, Germany, Syria and the US, Mylan's sensitive camera reifies the universal importance of family.
Watch on Max Stream Now

Where to Watch

Simple as Water

Critics Reviews

View All (7) Critics Reviews
Dennis Harvey Variety A graceful, touching sampler of dilemmas few viewers are likely to have experienced, even as they become ever-more-common reality for the less fortunate in many nations. Nov 12, 2021 Full Review Michael Rechtshaffen Los Angeles Times An achingly poignant testament to the unwavering strength of parental and filial bonds. Nov 12, 2021 Full Review Claire Shaffer New York Times "Simple as Water" is anything but simple when it comes to its technical achievements, weaving together familiar immigrant narratives in ways that still manage to surprise and stun. Nov 5, 2021 Full Review Daniel Howat Next Best Picture "Simple as Water" is deeply intimate as it invests the time to show these five stories as-is. It's as truthful as documentary filmmaking can get making it a quietly subversive experience. Rated: 7/10 May 20, 2022 Full Review Ezequiel Boetti Otroscines.com Succeeds in conveying the feeling of unease from those who live imprisoned by constant doubt. [Full review in Spanish] Rated: 3/5 Jan 3, 2022 Full Review Pat Mullen POV Magazine These brief windows into the lives of refugees create a bleak portrait, yet the film's hopeful finale offers a message of cautious optimism for their families as they forge new lives. Nov 25, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (3) audience reviews
Jane W I stumbled upon this. So glad I did. A look at corruption, power, conflict, war, displacement and the impact they have on families. It was very well told and very moving. I wished I'd been able to house all of them so they could be reunited with their loved ones. I do not know what we are doing to the planet and the people - in fact all the beings - that inhabit it, but I fear for the future. The families portrayed here were people caught in the middle. Their lives didn't matter. None of them will ever be the same. To see children trying to cope with loss, homelessness, separation, grief. I don't know how you come out of that whole. But their resolve and tenacity was at once perplexing and inspirational. I don't know how they found the will to keep going. We must find a way to put an end to senseless violence and unbridled power. A small group of people - in countries all over the planet - seem able to hold the vast majority of us hostage. Heartbreaking. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review amir s A movie about refugees is always interesting for me because it offers a totally different view of life compared to mine. Simple as Water delivered just that, but the level of intimacy was better than what I expected. It was heart-breaking to follow the lives of the characters, but a glimmer of hope remains, or is there? Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Alexandra H This is a beautiful movie. Each segment is the story of a refugee family from Syria. Of course, it is heartrending. But also, it is inspiring. Family members are so caring and kind to each other, so grown-up emotionally--even the kids. My son (American) is married to a Syrian refugee, and she is so impressive. I see that she comes from a culture in which many people are impressive. I highly recommend the movie--it's a fascinating look at one of today's major social movements--that of the Syrian refugees. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/19/21 Full Review Read all reviews
Simple as Water

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

Show Less Cast & Crew Show More Cast & Crew

More Like This

View All Best Movies to Stream at Home
After Sherman 100% % After Sherman Watchlist Two Gods 100% % Two Gods Watchlist When Claude Got Shot 100% % When Claude Got Shot Watchlist 76 Days 100% 85% 76 Days Watchlist TRAILER for 76 Days Where Olive Trees Weep % % Where Olive Trees Weep Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More
View All Simple as Water photos

Simple as Water

Simple as Water (2021) Simple as Water (2021) Simple as Water (2021) Simple as Water (2021) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Epic in scope but intimate and elegant in feel, SIMPLE AS WATER is a meditation on the elemental bonds between parent and child. A masterful look at the impact of war, separation and displacement, the film takes audiences into Syrian families' quests for normalcy and through the whirlwind of obstacles -- to building life anew. Filmed over the course of five years in five countries including Turkey, Greece, Germany, Syria and the US, Mylan's sensitive camera reifies the universal importance of family.
Director
Megan Mylan
Producer
Robin Hessman, Megan Mylan
Production Co
Principe Productions, Ford Foundation - Just Films, Inmaat Productions, Good Gravy Films
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
Arabic
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 16, 2021
Runtime
1h 39m
Most Popular at Home Now