While the international news media has mostly turned the page on the war in Syria, Academy Award-winning filmmaker Megan Mylan’s (“Smile Pinki”, “Lost Boys of Sudan”) new documentary “Simple as Water” shows how the shattering consequences of the war continue to reverberate through the lives of those who have been displaced, as well as those who have stayed behind. Presented in five unforgettable vignettes, the film spans the globe from Syria to Greece, Turkey, Germany, and the U.S.

How is it possible to capture the sprawling nature of this terrible international tragedy while keeping the focus on the mothers and fathers, daughters and sons, brothers and sisters who are struggling to grab onto a more hopeful future? In an intimate Top Docs conversation, Megan joins Mike to talk about the close ties she formed with these families and how her experience of becoming a mother changed the way she sees the world and informed her approach to the film. Mike relates how watching the film with his own children was an eye-opening experience. It’s a film that parents everywhere will want to share with their children. It’s as simple as that. The film will have a limited theatrical run and then debuts on HBO and HBO Max on November 16th.

Follow Megan on twitter @megamylan

Follow us on twitter @topdocspod

Hidden Gem:  Sing Faster

To support Syrian refugees:  Karam Foundation