A gripping chronicle of a revolution and war, experienced by Syrian actor Fares Helou. As one of the most famous film and television personalities in Syria, Fares Helou’s political opinions are not taken lightly by the Assad regime. The highest-ranking officials of the dictatorial regime try to win him over with a dual strategy—first by showing him respect, and then with masked threats. Fearing for his life and his family’s safety, Helou goes into hiding, where he is joined by director Rami Farah and his camera.

When Helou is eventually forced to flee from Syria to France, Rami follows him. However, neither the actor nor the director had a script for this new and unexpected chapter in their lives: exile. A chapter full of questions, disappointments, and alienation, but also of absurdity and cultural confusion that calls for laughter. While they try to find their footing on a new continent, the need to remain faithful to the dream of a free and democratic Syria becomes a matter of integrity—an existential quest. 'A Comedian in a Syrian Tragedy' is an intimate observation of the psychological violence and the exiled existence experienced by the director and his favourite actor.