Syrian 'White Helmets' makers get visas for Oscar travel

LOS ANGELES: Two Syrian rescue workers said on Friday they plan to travel to next week's Oscar ceremony, where their documentary "White Helmets" is nominated for an award, after weeks of uncertainty caused by U.S. President Donald Trump's travel ban. 

Raed Saleh, the pioneer of the White Helmets, and cinematographer Khaled Khatib have both acquired visas to go to the United States for the Feb. 26 Academy Award service in Los Angeles, maker Joanna Natasegara said.

"They both have substantial visas. We stay mindful about the physical piece of entering the nation. Things had been exceptionally indistinct until this point, yet we are presently being advised they are welcome to enter," Natasegara said.

"The White Helmets are among the most motivating philanthropic people we have ever known, and it is the best respect to share a worldwide stage where their amazing work can be recognized.... In these unverifiable circumstances, their story is a standout amongst the most moving of our era," she included a joint proclamation with chief Orlando von Einsiedel.

"The White Helmets," designated in the Oscars short subject narrative class, gives a look at the every day lives of the non military personnel Syrian Civil Defense, otherwise called the White Helmets, whose individuals volunteer as protect laborers in the war-desolated nation.

"It is essential that individuals comprehend that Syria has individuals who need similar things they need: peace, occupations, family, and to live without the dread of bombs. This is the thing that I trust the film does," Khatib said in an announcement on Friday.

A month ago it looked as though the Syrian movie producers would be not able get to the Oscars as a result of Trump's official request that banned passage to the United States for residents from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen for 90 days.

U.S offers court judges a week ago obstructed Trump's travel boycott, yet the Republican president has said he wants to issue another request soon.

Iranian chief Asghar Farhadi and on-screen character Taraneh Alidoosti, who stars in his remote dialect assigned film "The Salesman," have said they will blacklist the Academy Awards to dissent Trump's travel limitations.