Death Without Mercy directed by Waad Al-Kateab
Death Without Mercy (MTV Documentary Films)

Coinciding with the second anniversary of the tragic earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria in 2023, claimed over 55,000 lives, the documentary Death Without Mercy directed by Syrian-born Academy Award® nominee Waad Al-Kateab (For Sama), debuts Thursday, February 6th, 2025, on Paramount+ with Showtime.

The film follows the harrowing journey of two Syrian families over ten days in the aftermath of the earthquake. As they search for their missing loved ones and try to make sense of the event, the film reveals unsettling truths about corruption, governmental negligence, and the systemic failures that exacerbated the disaster’s impact. Through intimate first-hand survivor footage from under the rubble interwoven with television news reports, social media interaction, and closed circuit tv and drone footage, the film is at once a moving testament to human dignity and a heartfelt tribute to the lives that have been lost in this catastrophic event.

“With Death Without Mercy, I wanted to honor the resilience and humanity of those affected by the devastating Turkey-Syria earthquake,” says director Al-Kateab. “This film is a testament to their courage, grief, and unwavering determination to hold onto hope in the face of unimaginable loss. Through their stories, I hope to inspire awareness, accountability, and a commitment to ensuring that no community suffers such preventable devastation again.”

Watch the official trailer for Death Without Mercy.

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