'Insyriated' opens 44th edition
‘Insyriated’ follows Oum Yazan (Hiam Abbass) trapped inside her house in a city under sieg. A mother of three, turned her flat into a safe harbor for her family and neighbors, trying to protect them from the war outside. When bombs threaten to destroy the building, when snipers turn the courtyards into deadly zones, and burglars break in to claim their dreadful bounties, maintaining the thin balance of routine inside the walls becomes a matter of life and death.
Philippe Van Leeuw’s second feature (after 'Le jour où Dieu est parti en voyage') had its world premiere at the prestigious Berlinale Film Festival in the Panorama section this year, and was also distinguished with the Panorama audience award as well as the 'Europe Cinema Label'. Main actress Hiam Abbas is known for her performances in 'Paradise Now' by Hany Abu-Assad, 'The Syrian Bride' by Eran Riklis (awarded twice at Film Fest Gent in 2004), Ridley Scotts' 'Exodus: Gods and Kings' and Steven Spielberg's 'Munich'. This fall she will also be starring in Denis Villeneuve's sequel 'Blade Runner 2049'.
Artistic director Patrick Duynslaegher on the film: "We are delighted to open the festival with 'Insyriated'. In this intense and engaging drama we follow two families who are the main victims of the war. We also see how people have the power to survive in the most extreme circumstances and to preserve their humanity. The film takes place in one siege house in Damascus, but the director portrays a universal tragedy from this particular situation".
"I am very honored that Film Fest Gent has chosen 'Insyriated' as the opening film for the 44th edition. It is an incredible gift for the film and I'm very happy because the film was supported by both sides of the Belgian cultural communities. I hope that this is also a symbol that the situation of Syria and Syrians can not be forgotten". says director Philippe Van Leeuw.
"I am very honored that Film Fest Gent has chosen 'Insyriated' as the opening film for the 44th edition. It is an incredible gift for the film and I'm very happy because the film was supported by both sides of the Belgian cultural communities. I hope that this is also a symbol that the situation of Syria and Syrians can not be forgotten". says director Philippe Van Leeuw.
As part of the theme of the opening film, Film Fest Gent will partner up with Cinemaximiliaan, a volunteers group that organizes film screenings for refugees in camps, cultural institutions and people's homes. They act as a bridge between cultural organizations and refugees. When buying a ticket, the public has the opportunity to leave a donation as well as during the opening night. All of the contributions will go to their organization of their pop-up cinema from and for refugees in Belgium.
'Insyriated' is a production by Altitude 100 Production and Liaison Cinématographique, in cooperation with Minds Meet, Né à Beyrouth, Versus Production, FET and Be TV. The film was also supported in Belgium by the Centre du Cinéma et de l' Audiovisuel de la, the Flanders Audiovisual Fund of Flemish Minister of Culture Sven Gatz, the Belgian Tax Shelter through Inver Tax Shelter and Eurimages. The film will be distributed in Belgium on October 11 by O'Brother Distribution.
Tickets for the opening night of Film Fest Gent at arts center Vooruit are available here.
The 44th Film Fest Gent runs from 10 to 20 October in Kinepolis Ghent, Studio Skoop, Sphinx, Vooruit and KASKcinema. The full program will be announced on September 21, 2017, general ticket sales will start then.