Since 2011, Syria has been engaged in a devastating civil war. More than three hundred fifty thousand people have been killed during the conflict. The war has forced emergency.html">more than six million people to flee the country.

These Syrians in forced exile have had to endure overcrowded refugee camps, treacherous journeys by sea, and painful family separations. 

Academy Award winning director Megan Mylan is known for her films "Lost Boys of Sudan" and "Smile Pinki." Her latest documentary, "Simple as Water," follows several families of Syrian refugees. 

The Takeaway spoke with Mylan to find out more about how she created such a compassionate depiction of people whose stories are frequently sensationalized.

"Simple as Water" is available to stream now on HBO Max.