SANKI YOXSAN
Genre
Drama
Running time
16 minutes
Year
2024
Language
Azerbaijani
Subtitle
English and Arabic
Country
France and Azerbaijan
Director
Azer Guliev
Bio
Producer
Sébastien Hussenot
Cast
Milana Həsənova, Oktay Mehtiyev, Elşən Məmmədov
Scriptwriter
Azer Guliev, Nijat Mukhtarov
After Samir’s severe father flatly refuses to ask the parents of his beloved Leyla for her hand, the two young people agree to run away together. Leyla arrives at the appointed hour and waits all day; Samir never shows up. She revisits the places they used to meet – bleak mining quarries, perilous hillsides, wherever they wouldn’t be seen – while hearing his voice telling her this pain will pass. It is an enigmatic, lyrical account of love, betrayal and the sad fate of people with no power over their own lives.
Other movies
YUNAN
Director: Ameer Fakher Eldin
Haunted by a cryptic family parable, Munir (Georges Khabbaz) flees to a remote island to contemplate a drastic decision. Here he encounters the enigmatic Valeska and her rough, loyal son, Karl. With few words exchanged and quiet acts of kindness, suspicion dissolves, easing Munir’s burden and reigniting his desire to live. Much like the prophet Jonah, who was spit out by the sea and then returned to land, Munir finds himself a stranger in the world, struggling with alienation and aborted dreams. As his mother's memory fades, he also struggles to recall a story about a cursed shepherd his mother told him. A captivating visual fable, the film immerses us in Munir's consuming frustration. "This film contains scenes that may be considered sensitive for some viewers. Viewer discretion is advised"
THE VOICE OF HIND RAJAB
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
The Voice Of Hind Rajab is an emotional and innovative hybrid of documentary and drama that recounts the heart-wrenching story of a six-year-old Palestinian girl killed during the Israel-Gaza war. In January 2024, Hind was trapped for hours in a car after it came under fire, squeezed between the bodies of her aunt, uncle and cousins, leaving her the sole survivor. For hours she remained in contact with Red Crescent volunteers, who navigated a maze of military and governmental approvals in an attempt to reach her. The film transcends traditional cinema, becoming a powerful act of resistance and a vital work of memory. Filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania delivers a haunting testament to the tragic reality of war, resonating with audiences long after the credits roll.
GIRL
Director: Shu Qi
Superstar Shu Qi, icon of Asian cinema and muse of Hou Hsiao-hsien, makes her directorial debut with this self-penned, deeply personal coming-of-age drama. In a cramped home ruled by abuse, young teenager Lin Xiaoli keeps her head down, caring for her little sister while her father’s drunken rages cascade into her mother’s cruelty. Everything shifts when she befriends Li Lili, a rebellious classmate who skips class, smokes and urges Xiaoli to challenge the family’s toxic status quo. As escape glimmers, Shu Qi films with poised restraint, observing at a remove and tuning the viewer to intimate, everyday textures with a quietly harrowing strength. Tender yet unsentimental, Girl finds fragile beauty amid hurt and announces a formidable new directorial voice.
THE STORIES
Director: Abu Bakr Shawky
In the summer of 1967 in Egypt, aspiring pianist Ahmed begins a long-distance friendship with Liz, his Austrian pen-pal. Their bond, met with suspicion by relatives, helps drive Ahmed’s pursuit of his dream: to perform in a public concert. As they navigate life’s joys and heartaches, their connection and shared ambition endure through the war, family drama and societal opposition they face in Egypt during the 1980s. The film, like Yomeddine, is infused with the director's distinct personality, showing his talent for creating characters and dialogue that are touching and memorable. This is a vivid and authentic tribute to Egypt, capturing a love story filled with the innocence and ambition of a generation during a key period in Arab history.