George Clooney developing film on “White Helmets” rescuers in Syria

PanARMENIAN.Net - George Clooney is in early development on a feature version of Netflix’s “The White Helmets” documentary about first responders in Syria, Variety said.

Clooney and producing partner Grant Heslov are seeking a writer through their Smokehouse Pictures production company. CAA is representing the rights to the documentary.

“The White Helmets,” directed by Orlando von Einsiedel and produced by Joanna Natasegara, is on the documentary shorts Oscar shortlist.

The Syrian Civil Defense, better known as the White Helmets, consists of about 3,000 volunteers. The organization has has been credited with saving more than 60,000 people from the bombed buildings in war-torn Syria. The group has lost about 150 members during the war.

“In the White Helmets, we have a motto: to save one life is to save humanity,” one volunteer says in the documentary.

Clooney won a best supporting actor Academy Award for his role as a CIA operative in 2005’s “Syriana,” set in an unnamed Persian Gulf state. He also exec produced “Syriana” and was a producer with Heslov and Ben Affleck on 2012’s “Argo,” which won the best picture Academy Award. Clooney has been nominated for six other Oscars.

Netflix released “The White Helmets” in September.