The long war in Syria continues to rage on.

In neighboring Turkey, an estimated 3.3 million people are under temporary protection.

"Syria is torn apart."

"It's lost everything."

But through circus performing, the hearts of these young Syrians, once crushed by the devastation of war,

are beginning to heal under one Turkish women's initiative.

"To feel loved and accepted and making
friends is what matters most."

But in February 2023, the area they live in is struck by a major earthquake.

To bring smiles to the children in the affected areas, the young Syrian performers are heading out to take the stage.

"The kids remind me of my childhood."

"I only wish for their happiness."

We follow the lives of the young Syrians living with challenges, yet seeking happiness through circus performing.

Mardin is located in southeast Turkey, by the border of Syria.

On weekday afternoons and weekends, there is a place where Syrian refugee children gather.

Run by a local NGO, this is the Sirkhane Social Circus School.

About 100 students aged between 5 to 23 are learning circus skills, such as juggling.

Pınar Demiral is from Turkey.

She learned social circus pedagogy during her university years, and founded this NGO 12 years ago.

"This war is terrible."

"Many lost family, their childhood,
and are living with scars."

"They need time to heal."

"The act of working towards a goal together
and helping each other in hand,

is the best therapy possible."

The Syrian students in this group are in their teens and twenties, and have been practicing here for years.

At this school they are praised as the "Circus Heros."

They perform in events across Turkey.

They are busy practicing a new piece for a show coming up in two weeks.

"STOP!"

It's a 40-minute program combining dialogue and circus performances.

The main character is a failed magician, who was fired from his circus.

But he's got a few tricks to try and get his old job back.

"We've met before?"

"No, I believe not."

"A magician from Paris, you are?"

"Yes indeed."

"Show me your magic."

"With pleasure."

"You're hired!"

"Yes!"

They build their confidence under professionals, that have performed as clowns around the world.

They came from France to support this project.

The protagonist magician is played by Rafik.

He has been practicing at this school for eight years.

Rafik lives on the outskirts of town in a neighborhood with a large refugee population.

He lives with his parents and sisters.

The family escaped from Syria ten years ago.

"Our city was heavily targeted."

"There was oil?"

"It's a city with oil pipelines."

"People were killing each other for food."

"When my husband was in line for bread,
someone next to him was shot."

"Syria is torn apart."

"It's lost everything."

"No food, no medicine."

"It's impossible to live there."

His father, working in a factory, earns about half the average monthly income in Turkey.

Obtaining a work permit for Syrian refugees is a challenge.

Most live on low-paid jobs, such as manual labor.

"We can't afford new stationery
or a bag for the kids."

"They have to use worn out items."

"His salary is spent in two weeks and we
can't cover school buses and lunches."

"I worked in such shops."

"Carried boxes like these."

"When did you start?"

"As a child, right after settling."

"It was heavy."

"The owner was surprised,

to see a kid carry it all."

"I also worked in a pastry shop."

Being the eldest son, Rafik worked as a day laborer from the age of 11 in order to support the family.

"I couldn't rest even when I was sick."

"It was my job to carry items
no matter how heavy it was."

"My pay was lower than a new
Turkish staff, too."

"Did you ever think about quitting?"

"Never."

"Father was working there too."

"I was afraid the owner would
fire him because of me."

Even now, Rafik's routine is to ask for work on the streets, visiting shops and factories for his daily pay.

In Turkey, Syrian refugees are allowed to enroll in public schools.

Rafik graduated from high school in Turkey, and is now also studying tourism at a local university.

"What's this?"

"There's no class today."

"Are they friends?"

"No."

"Only you didn't know?"

"Right."

"I wasted my time."

"No messages?"

"No, because I don't have friends."

"University is good but sometimes lonely."

"I don't have close friends."

"I don't talk with others, I'm usually alone."

"Sometimes, you want to run from reality."

"The circus has been my escape."

"Going there makes me feel better."

"This place was already poor and people
started pointing fingers at the refugees."

"Discrimination grew among kids, too."

"They got bullied at school
and eventually quit going."

Pınar has been frequently setting up shows and events for local people.

And such chances to get to know each other is slowly changing people's minds.

"People now invite the refugees
to local festivals."

"In the last decade, their image
has changed from negative to cool."

Four days until the big show, and it's time for a rehearsal.

"Too late."

Rafik is having some trouble.

"You were not ready."

"I can't find it."

His performance is stiff, and he is in need of further instruction.

"Don't just say the line.
Express it with your whole body."

"Try to do it from your heart."

"Let me do this scene again."

After the rehearsal, Rafik asks for help and continues to practice.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"You're hired."

"Yes!"

"I got the job!"

They practice till dark.

Today is the group's day off from practice.

They are heading to the shops to buy clothes for the performance.

"Rafik, choose a shirt here."

"How about this for pajamas?"

"I like it."

"Let's try this on."

"It should be tight."

"The magician from Paris."

"It's good."

Expenses for the show and to manage the school are covered by foreign support and international organizations.

"If someone asks,
say you're the magician from Paris."

A warm gathering like this usually leads to one hot topic: their future.

"The circus just won't cut it.
What's the plan?"

"Where'll you be in 10 years?"

"I want to go to university to be an
engineer. But also keep performing."

"If I can't become an engineer,
I want to work in a circus."

"What will you wish for with the wand?"

"I would go abroad."

"Not that I hate Turkey."

"But life is getting harder
as a refugee in this place."

"Without citizenship, even a university degree
won't let me work."

It is a reality that they have no control over.

"You're useless without citizenship."

"Even if you're educated,
it's hard to get citizenship."

"My dream's nearly impossible.
So, for now I'll continue performing."

"Then one day, I might have an opportunity."

It's the first day of their big show.

They're heading out to areas stricken by the earthquake of February 2023.

It's a tour of three provinces over three days.

Today the performance takes place in Diyarbakir, one of the worst-hit cities.

Their stage today is among the rows of temporary houses.

Nine months have passed since the earthquake, but about 900 people still live in temporary housing.

Life in instability is weighing heavily, especially on the children.

"Sometimes he snaps and loses control."

Many children are struggling with school and making friends, unable to adjust to the new environment.

Pınar and her group have been performing in the affected provinces since immediately after the disaster.

"The circus is here!"

Now, it's showtime.

The circus manager is in tears.

They have fired their magician, and they don't know what to do.

Then appears Rafik, the failed magician who was fired from the circus.

His plan is to disguise himself as someone else to get his job back.

And looks aren't the only thing that's changed.

His hard work pays off, and he has turned into a true magician.

"You're hired!"

"Yes! I got the job!"

But then...

"You're a fake!"

"No, I'm not."

"You are!"

"No, I'm not."

One member is suspicious.

"You're a fake."

"Still a fake."

"You're a real magician."

He makes it through... this time, with the help of a little bit more than just magic.

Now the climax.

One of their friends has turned into a monster, and is out of control.

Just when all hope is lost...

they stumble upon Rafik, who had just woken up, and has not yet disguised himself.

"It's Rafik!"

"It was a lie!"

"A fake! Just as I said."

"I'm no fake!
I really practiced in Paris."

"I'll turn him back to normal."

"Abracadabra!"

"You're a true magician!"

The magician Rafik proves himself to the others, and wins back their trust as one of their friends.

"It was awesome!"

"I loved it!"

"You were really cool."

"You too."

"The kids give me happiness."

"And that happiness makes me feel alive."

'It's all worth it when a child says
"I want to be like you."'

"I feel like I've become somebody."

Pınar and the circus continued their tour, bringing cheers and smiles wherever they went.

Rafik is back in Mardin.

"Which way is Syria?"

"That way."

"Beyond that city."

"That way too."

"When the country settles,

and if my friends are alive,
I might return."

"The world can be a better place.
And I want to help that happen."