More Than A Refugee Story: Why “Peace By Chocolate” Feels More Relevant Than Ever In Malaysia [Review]
Peace by Chocolate tells the true story of the Hadhad family who resettled in a small Canadian town after being forced to flee Syria.
- Peace by Chocolate tells the uplifting true story of a Syrian refugee family rebuilding their chocolate empire in Canada through hope and community.
- The film powerfully shows refugees as relatable humans, reminding us that given love and opportunity, people can truly flourish and contribute meaningfully.
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No one chooses to become a refugee. In a world where conflict, persecution, and crisis can upend a life overnight, becoming a “refugee” is not as distant as we might think. And with the debate over refugees in Malaysia growing louder, the story told in Peace by Chocolate feels more urgent and relevant than ever before.
In conjunction with World Refugee Day, UNHCR Malaysia held a movie screening of Peace by Chocolate, which is inspired by the true story of a young Syrian refugee and his family who resettled in a small town in Canada named Antigonish.
Starting over wasn’t easy, but with hope, hard work, and a supportive community, the Hadhad family managed to rebuild their chocolate empire and give back to the Canadian society who has helped them.
What I liked
Director Jonathan Keijser wanted to tell an uplifting story with nuanced characters to show that refugees are similar to any of us. When you peel away the layers, you’ll find that we’re more similar than different. Keijser said his favourite line in the movie is, “Neighbours, newcomers, they’re all the same to me.”
The film earns its emotional weight by refusing to romanticise pain. It is a story of hope, but also of the small, stubborn joys that make survival possible. Even in the depths of hardship, joy still finds its way in, in small and unexpected ways. The balance is what makes it feel so true.
The Hadhad family’s humour felt lived-in and real. It’s the kind of banter that only comes from people who genuinely love each other. Audiences responded warmly, particularly to the late Hatem Ali’s portrayal of patriarch Issam, whose grumpy devotion to his craft was as funny as it was deeply human. Issam’s wife, Shahnaz (played by Yara Sabri), scolding him for messing up the kitchen was another relatable and funny moment.
The moment that stayed with me long after I left the cinema was a tender exchange between Issam and his son Tareq (played by Ayham Abou Ammar). In a foreign country where Issam cannot speak the language well, it’s Tareq who becomes his father’s voice and lifeline. Issam tells Tareq that he is his everything here. This simple exchange recontextualises the entire father-son tension in the film, making Issam’s reluctance to let Tareq pursue his medical studies not selfish, but entirely human.
The film’s message is simple but profound: given love, care, and an honest chance, people will not just survive. They can flourish and contribute meaningfully to the community around them. It’s also a reminder that the paths we’re forced to take can sometimes lead us somewhere better than where we were headed.
Here’s where to watch
UNHCR Malaysia is holding a special screening of Peace by Chocolate at TDSC on Saturday, 11 July 2026.
By donating RM50, your support helps UNHCR deliver where the need is greatest and brings hope and dignity to people forced to flee. Each RM50 donation entitles you to TWO movie tickets.
Movie screening details
Date: Saturday, 11th July 2026
Venue: TDSC
33-2, Jalan 4/109f, Taman Danau Desa, 58100 Kuala Lumpur
Time Slot 1: 5:00 PM – 7:15 PM
The movie starts promptly at 5:30 PM.
Time Slot 2: 7:45 PM – 10:00 PM
The movie starts promptly at 8:15 PM.
To donate/get tickets, head over to the official website here.
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