HATCH
Genre
Drama
Running time
11 minutes
Year
2024
Language
English and Arabic
Subtitle
English and Arabic
Country
Canada and Iran
Director
Alireza Kazemipour, Panta Mosleh
Bio
Producer
Sina Nazarian, Panta Mosleh, Alireza Kazemipour
Cast
Aixa Kay, Ali Eldurssi, Helena Marie
Scriptwriter
Alireza Kazemipour
Naaji and his mother are among a handful of Afghan refugees hidden in the tank of a water truck, trying to cross a border. The tank hatch opens with a snap. Far below, the smuggled people try to stay underwater, dodging the guards’ flashlight beams and holding their breath until the guards spot the water swirling. As their hopes of escape get shattered, we become immersed in the tank with them. Naaji will get a second chance, but nothing will erase this trauma.
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THE SETTLEMENT
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When 23-year-old Hossam's father dies in a factory accident, management of the factory offer a deal: a job for Hossam and his younger brother, 12-year-old Maro, in exchange for burying the truth. With a criminal record and a disabled mother to support, Hossam has little choice but to accept the job, even as his brother insists on working beside him. Hossam is pulled in multiple directions — between the truth of his father's death, a first love affair with a disappearing coworker and his community's dark reputation. This thriller has an intriguing atmosphere, and to emphasize the characters' oppression, director Mohamed Rashad uses sound — especially the overwhelming noise of the factory machines — to immerse the audience in a corrupt world.
THE STORIES
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