YUNAN

 Germany, Canada, Italy I 2025 I  Arabic, German, English dialogue with English subtitles l 124 min

ABOUT FILM

Syrian director Ameer Fakher Eldin presents his second feature film, Yunan, a cinematic work with a renewed global presence that has firmly established itself on the international festival scene thanks to its profound contemplative vision and refined visual language. The film had its world premiere in the official competition at the Berlin International Film Festival (2025), where it was the only competing Arab film, placing it at the heart of the global cinematic conversation about alienation, identity, and the search for self.

The film tells the story of Munir, an exiled Arab writer living in Germany, who plans to end his life on a remote island in the North Sea. However, his encounter with an elderly woman and his struggle with nature open a new horizon of life and hope. Through a calm and poetic narrative, the film explores themes of alienation, memory, and human connection, relying on small details and silent moments that enrich the dramatic experience without resorting to conventional storytelling.

Yunan’s presence at major festivals is no coincidence; it reflects the recognition it has received on its international journey. The film won the Arab Critics Award for European Films at the El Gouna Film Festival in recognition of its profound cinematic language and deeply human approach. It also received artistic awards at festivals such as the Hong Kong International Film Festival, and at the Red Sea International Film Festival, honoring George Khabaz for his performance and Ameer Fakher Eldin for his direction.

What distinguishes Yunan is its ability to combine philosophical reflection with emotional depth. The film does not seek ready-made answers but invites viewers to think with every image, every silence, and every moment of anticipation. Its calm visual style, deep performances, and attention to natural spaces make the experience more than mere viewing—it is an invitation to reflect on oneself and others, and on the meaning of hope amid the shadows of exile.

At its screening at the 2026 Malmö Arab Film Festival, Yunan promises an unmissable cinematic experience—a poetic journey that resonates with the search for roots and humanity, reaffirming that Arab cinema is capable of producing world-class works that transcend geographic and linguistic boundaries