Longtime friends are torn apart by war, with Red trapped in Gaza while George watches from a distance, one locked in and one locked out.
In October 2023, Beirut-based journalist George Azar lost contact with his friend and fixer in Gaza, Raed Athamneh. They formed an unbreakable bond as they covered news stories together for more than 20 years. Unable to reach Gaza this time, George watches helplessly as the horrific events unfold on the screen, traumatized by the escalating war.
He tried to understand the news coming out of Gaza by meeting other Lebanese journalists who had also experienced Israeli bombing. Every day, George faces growing anxiety when he doesn’t hear from Red, who is struggling to survive the genocide.
“Locked Out, Locked In” is a documentary filmed by George Azar and Maryam Shaheen.
Posted on February 12, 2026







