Al Murhaqoon

The Burdened
Isra’a lives with her husband Ahmed and their three children in the old port city of Aden in southern Yemen. Their everyday lives are shaped by the civil war – which means military checks in the streets, frequent power cuts, and having to haul water from the street to the kitchen. Ahmed used to work for television, but after several salary cheques were not paid, he is now earning his money as a driver. When Isra’a unexpectedly becomes pregnant, the couple faces a crisis. They both know they cannot afford a fourth child: they are about to move to a cheaper flat and the children’s school fees are due. Together they decide on an abortion. An odyssey begins in which a doctor friend becomes a key figure.
A feature film from Yemen is a great rarity. Here, director Amr Gamal has chosen to fictionalise a real-life story that occurred within his circle of friends. Set against the backdrop of one of the world’s most devastating civil wars, this sensitive family drama provides us with a glimpse into the society of a country largely unknown beyond its borders.
by Amr Gamal
with Khaled Hamdan, Abeer Mohammed, Samah Alamrani, Awsam Abdulrahman, Shahd Algonfedy
Yemen / Sudan / Saudi Arabia 2023 Arabic 91’ Colour World premiere

With

  • Khaled Hamdan (Ahmed)
  • Abeer Mohammed (Isra’a)
  • Samah Alamrani (Muna)
  • Awsam Abdulrahman (Abbas)
  • Shahd Algonfedy (Hend)
  • Islam Saleem (Anwar)
  • Roaa Al-Hamshari (Nouran)
  • Omar Elyas (Nawar)
  • Fatema Adulbqawi (Dr. Niveen)
  • Ruaida Rubaih (Ahmed’s Mother)

Crew

DirectorAmr Gamal
ScreenplayAmr Gamal, Mazen Refaat
CinematographyMrinal Desai
EditingHeba Othman
MusicChen Mingchang
Sound DesignRana Eid
SoundRawad Hobeika
Production DesignAsim Abdulaziz, Tamim Mohammed
CostumesSaleh Alkatheri
Make-UpShahd Algonfedy
CastingAmr Gamal
Assistant DirectorsEzat Shadad, Ahmed Alhaidari
Production ManagerFahed Shuraih
ProducersMohsen Alkhalifi, Amr Gamal
Co-ProducersAmjad Abu Alala, Mohammed Alomda
Co-ProductionStation Films, Khartum
Red Sea Fund, Dschidda

Produced by

Amr Gamal

The film and theatre director with Yemeni roots was born in Poland in 1983. In 2005, he founded the Khaleej Aden theatre company for which he has written and directed all of their productions ever since. His play “Ma’k Nazel” was the first Yemeni play to be performed in Europe. His debut film 10 Days Before the Wedding was the first Yemen-made film to screen commercially there for 30 years and was the country’s official entry for the 2018 Oscars. He lives and works in Aden, Yemen.

Filmography

2018 10 Days Before the Wedding 2023 Al Murhaqoon (The Burdened)

Dates

Sat Feb 18 18:30

Cubix 2

Subtitles: English

Screening for press and industry professionals | With accreditation only

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Mon Feb 20 16:00

International

Subtitles: English

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Tue Feb 21 22:00

Cubix 7

Subtitles: English

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Wed Feb 22 16:00

Cubix 5

Subtitles: German

Q&A after the film with German Sign Language Interpreter

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Thu Feb 23 18:30

Cubix 9

Subtitles: English

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Sun Feb 26 16:00

Cubix 5

Subtitles: English

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