The Syrian government is refusing to let “Last Men in Aleppo” nominees attend the 90th Oscars, citing President Donald Trump’s travel ban.
Producer Kareem Abeed and Mahmoud Al-Hattar, the founding member of the group which is the subject of the documentary, won’t be attending the award ceremony after the Syrian government refused to expedite the travel visa process for the two men, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
“Kareem, my producer and fellow nominee, cannot come to the U.S. because of the Trump travel ban,” director Feras Fayyad told The Hollywood Reporter. “Barring a miracle, he will not be at the Oscars with me. We are artists and we just want to share our stories and nothing more. It’s very sad he won’t have an opportunity to share his.”
“Last Men in Aleppo,” which follows the volunteer group the White Helmets as they aid wounded victims of the Syrian civil war, was the first Syrian-produced and directed film to be nominated for an Oscar.
The film’s marketing team applied for a visa application for Abeed immediately after nominations were announced on Jan. 3, but his interview date was set for March — just two days before the ceremony.
Even if he was granted a visa, it is unlikely Abeed would even be able to get into the U.S. — Trump’s Executive Order 13780 halted new visa applications from citizens of Syria.
“The Syrian government doesn’t want to issue passports and visas because they use the same accusing that is used by the Russians — that (the White Helmets) work with a terrorism group. The Syrian government is under control of the Russians,” Fayyad told THR. “I know lots of Russian people, and they are not fans of (Russian president Vladimir) Putin’s policies (that back the Assad regime).”
Despite likely missing the big day, Abeed continued to be optimistic.
“The U.S. is famous for welcoming all the best and brightest from across the world,” he said. “I hope to be part of that tradition.”