Photo by Megan Mack for TheWrap

Abdalaziz Alhamza, one of the lead figures in Matthew Heineman’s documentary “City of Ghosts,” knew the power of the camera when he took to the streets of Raqqa, Syria, to document the horrors inflicted by the so-called Islamic State on his hometown beginning in 2014.

“I felt a duty to do this,” Alhamza told TheWrap’s Managing Editor Thom Geier during a Q&A at the outlet’s Awards and Foreign Screening Series on Thursday. “I started as a protester, then an activist. This was the only way to get the news out … I was covering the clashes on the street, carrying my camera and covering everything.”

“City of Ghosts” follows a group of citizen journalists, known as Raqqa Is Being Slaughtered Silently, who mobilized to expose the brutal violence and human rights abuses committed by ISIS after the militant group took control of the city. The documentary follows the journalists’ efforts to sneak photos, videos, and reports out of the city, disrupting ISIS propaganda that aimed to depict their regime as benevolent and discouraging citizens from joining its ranks.

Also Read: 'City of Ghosts,' 'Strong Island' Lead Cinema Eye Honors Nominations

“Silicon Valley social media platforms are the main tools ISIS uses to recruit around the world, and our main work is to counter ISIS propaganda online,” Alhamza said during the Q&A at New York University’s Cantor Film Center. “We don’t believe in guns, so we use the same platforms.”

When advocating on behalf of Syrians to the international community, Alhamza said that he and other members of RBSS faced pushback from a wave of Islamophobia. In the documentary, a crowd of white Germans jeer refugees, and Alhamza said he faces similar racism in the U.S., especially when traveling.

“With the [Trump administration’s] travel ban, being a refugee from Syria, Muslim — I usually have a longer beard — it’s sometimes hard,” he said of his encounters with officials from U.S. Homeland Security. “Having ISIS consider us nonbelievers and those people consider us terrorists, it was hard to be caught between two groups. But compared to ISIS, those people weren’t so bad.”

The journalists featured in “City of Ghosts” are refugees in the most direct sense. ISIS has called for the execution of Alhamza and other founders of RBSS, some of whom previously fell victim to attacks by ISIS jihadists, and a bulk of the film takes place in undisclosed locations in Turkey and Germany, showing whispered meetings and reports published from encrypted servers.

Also Read: 'City of Ghosts' Review: Syrian Citizen Journalists Fight ISIS in Vital Doc

Despite ISIS’s weakening presence in Syria, Alhamza said there had been multiple attempts on his life. “[Police] started to find out about people in Germany who were trying to kill me,” he said. “With all the things going on in the city, and all the threats, returning seems unlikely.”

Last month, U.S.-backed forces captured Raqqa, a victory that was heralded as a turning point in the fight against ISIS. But Alhamza called for sustained efforts to thwart ISIS’ recruiting, arguing that force alone is insufficient.

“The international community’s strategy was just to destroy the military group,” Alhamza said. “There’s an entire generation of children that have grown up under their rule, with ISIS propaganda … This ideology, you can’t surround it with guns, with airstrikes. And the international community has taken no steps to fix that.”

13 Best Documentaries to Watch on Netflix (Photos)

Documentaries and chill?

If you're getting a bit tired of endlessly scrolling through Netflix movies, try these films on for size.

Added plus: You might even accidentally learn something.
"The 13th"

Ava DuVernay's latest documentary, "The 13th" sheds light on the prison industrial system and its relation to historical inequality in the United States. It's titled after the 13th amendment which abolished slavery.
Netflix
"Blackfish"

We can pretty much credit the downfall of Sea World to Gabriela Cowperthwaite's "Blackfish," which tells the story of Tilikum, a killer whale living in captivity that killed its trainer in 2010. The film discusses the dangers to humans and the orcas who are confined in theme parks.

Magnolia Pictures
"The Black Power Mixtape"

This 2011 documentary showcases the evolution of the Black Power Movement by using footage found 30 years after it was shot by Swedish journalists. It covers the time period between 1967 to 1975 and includes interviews from Angela Davis, Huey P. Newton and Eldridge Cleaver, along with others central to the movement.
"The Imposter"

This British-American documentary is about a French imposter, Frédéric Bourdin, who presents himself to a grieving family as their missing boy Nicholas Barclay -- a 13-year-old from Texas who went missing.
"Room 237"

If you've ever wondered what mysteries lied behind Room 237 in Stanley Kubrick's "The Shining," this is the film for you.

Each segment of the film, focuses on a specific element in "The Shining" and offers different interpretations.
"What Happened, Miss Simone?"

Academy Award-nominated "What Happened, Miss Simone" features previously unreleased footage and interviews with singer Nina Simone's friends and family that tells the life story of the activist and music legend.

The film was also executive produced by Simone's daughter, Lisa Simone Kelly.
Sundance
"Into the Abyss"

Werner Herzog's "Into the Abyss" focuses on capital punishment in Texas by profiling Michael Perry, a convicted killer on Death Row for the murder of a 50-year-old nurse, among other crimes.

Some of his interviews were filmed only eight days prior to his execution.

The documentary neither focuses on Perry's innocence nor his guilt.
IFC Films
"Virunga"

This one is for all the animal lovers out there. "Virunga" focuses on four park rangers who risk their lives to protect critically endangered mountain gorillas from poachers in Congo's Virunga National Park.
Grain Media
"Biggie & Tupac"

If you've ever been curious of the mysteries surrounding the deaths of two of rap's most prominent artists, watch "Biggie & Tupac."

While the documentary doesn't give a clear answer of who killed the rap icons, the director suggests that Suge Knight was responsible for the latter's murder.
Lionsgate
"The Invisible War"

While the military is known for fighting our wars overseas, there's one silent battle within the armed forces that few are talking about -- sexual assault.

Kirby Dick's "The Invisible War" features interviews with veterans who share their experiences of sexual assault in the U.S. military.

Cinedigm/Docurama Films
"Super Size Me"

This documentary can pretty much be credited for pushing McDonald's to alter their menu to include more healthy items and getting rid of their super size option.

Morgan Spurlock takes on a 30-day challenge -- he eats at least three meals a day for 30 days from McDonald's. The film documents the changes that occur in his physical appearance, as well as his health.

Roadside Attractions
"20 Feet From Stardom"

Most of us see backup singers providing support to the main act, but rarely do we recognize their talent.

This documentary follows backup singers like Judith Hill, Darlene Love and Merry Clayton and sheds light on their lives through behind-the-scenes footage.
Radius-TWC
"Hot Girls Wanted"

The appropriately titled doc features interviews with several young porn actresses, as they discuss their experiences in the industry.
Netflix