Xoftex

Palestinian-Syrian teenager Nasser and his older brother Yassin have been living in a Greek refugee camp, awaiting a decision on their asylum application. They pass the time recording comedy sketches, fantasizing about creating zombie films and moving to Sweden. Nasser, however, feels increasingly trapped in this no-man’s-land, with no escape in sight on the distant horizon. An innovative approach to the refugee issue, and an introduction to the psyche of displaced persons, as well as a Polanski-style plunge into the gradual process of the destabilization of identity that occurs when under confinement (and the absolute precariousness of it all, since the refugee has been deprived of any existential certainty). As reality starts to crack imperceptibly, an incredibly interesting commentary is put forth about art as a creative outlet, because even though it doesn’t resolve any real problems, it serves as a temporary panacea. Filmed ingeniously, and with an impeccable sound design, along with some breathtaking performances, this atmospheric film set out on its journey receiving a Special Jury Mention at the most recent Karlovy Vary Film Festival, and it continues on forging its own landscape in a world appearing to give into despair at an alarming pace.

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Direction: Noaz Deshe

Script: Noaz Deshe, Babak Jalali

Cinematography: Noaz Deshe

Editing: Felipe Guerrero, Noaz Deshe

Sound: Oliver Achatz, Lars Ginzel, Luise Hofmann

Music: Thomas Moked Blum, Noaz Deshe

Actors: Abdulrahman Diab, Osama Hafiry, Jalal Albaroudi, Hazem Saleh, Mouataz Alshaltouh, Muhammad Al Rashi, Amal Omran

Production: Arden Film GmbH

Producers: Jordan Tappis, Beau Willimon, Andro Steinborn, Noaz Deshe

Co-production: The Cup of Tea

Co-producers: Christophe Audeguis

Costumes: Laila Bayazeed, Greta Engelhardt, Tattiana Jung, Gibran Macias

Production Design: Marita Götz, Lea Walloschke

Executive producer: Majd Hafiry, Osama Hafiry, Babak Jalali, Patrick Schorn, Grischa Sautter, Gabriel Stavenhagen, Zachary Guglin, Julian Chavez, Eve Gabereau, Maria Drandaki, Didar Domehri

Make Up: Laila Bayazeed

Format: DCP

Color: Colour

Production Country: Germany, France

Production Year: 2024

Duration: 99'

Contact: Mad Solutions

Awards/Distinctions: Special Mention – Karlovy Vary IFF 2024