The Heaviness of Absence
Spring Grants 2024 - Production Stage
Jalal Maghout / Short Narrative / Syria, Germany, Qatar / 14 min / Original Language: Arabic / Interests: Drama, Psychological
Synopsis
Zakaria, a 21-year-old English literature student in war-torn Damascus, struggles to survive amidst a devastating economic situation. Each day, he battles to keep his spirits up, but his mind is consumed by the horrors of war and the uncertainty of his future. When his father, Youssef, a prominent journalist, is suddenly arrested by the secret police, Zakaria’s world is turned upside down. Desperate to discover his father’s fate, Zakaria embarks on a dangerous journey that introduces him to a corrupt network of individuals who can help secure his father’s release. Along the way, he meets a taxi driver who offers his assistance but at a steep price. Zakaria decides to sell his kidney to pay for the deal, but after the surgery, he wakes up to the shocking revelation that he has no kidneys. The doctor explains that Zakaria is completely empty inside. Left alone with his fate, Zakaria is tormented by the thought that he, too, could be arrested. He gradually sinks into fear and loneliness, his body and spirit hollowed out by the relentless corruption and despair surrounding him.
Credits
- Director
- Jalal Maghout
- Screenwriter
- Jalal Maghout
- Producer
- Karsten Matern
- Production Company
- Wait-a-Second!
About the Director
Jalal Maghout is an animation filmmaker from Syria. He started his film career in 2010 with 'Creatures of Inexistence,' which was his bachelor's project at the University of Damascus. Upon graduating, he worked at the university as a Visual Arts lecturer. In 2013, his short film 'Canvas on Mixed Media' was presented in Annecy and screened on ARTE. Soon after, he left Syria for Berlin, where he started working on his animadoc 'Suleima,' which premiered at DOK Leipzig 2014. Jalal premiered his film 'Up Here, with the White Gods' at ITFS 2020. In the same year, he completed a master's degree (with honours) at the Film University Babelsberg. His graduation film, 'Have a Nice Dog!,' premiered at Filmfest Dresden and has since screened at numerous festivals, winning multiple awards. Most notably, the film qualified for the Animation Short Film Oscar 2020 by winning the Grand Prix in Uppsala. In addition, Jalal has also served as a jury member at ITFS, Annecy, and other festivals.