The White Helmets

The White Helmets unveils the dangerous and life-saving work of a volunteer rescue group of the Syrian Civil Defence, working in opposition-controlled Syria including Aleppo.

Nicknamed the white helmets, the volunteer rescue group seeks to provide medical evacuation, essential service delivery, and search and rescue services in areas afflicted by bombing. Chronicling their work, director Orlando von Einsiedel follows the group as they head into war-torn Syria in the immediate wake of destruction.

In addition to the active work, the documentary also details the training needed to wear one of the white helmets. Following three heroic men within the same unit, the intense training is detailed. Amidst this introduction in Turkey, soon to be white helmets must wrestle with the notion of being a first responder for a region with daily airstrikes and bombings.