The Guest: Aleppo-Istanbul

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While showing Meryem and Lena overcoming the hurdles of a big city in a foreign country and becoming heroines of their story, the film enables people to have a better understanding of Syrian refugees’ feelings and the harsh reality they face every day.
Most of the film’s cast are real refugees acting for the first time.
The film stars Jordanian star Saba Mubarak, whose repertoire includes a number of Arab and international films such as the Swedish films Agent Hamilton: But Not If It Concerns Your Daughter and Hamilton: In the Interest of the Nation.
MAD Solutions released the film in Jordan, Lebanon and Kuwait.
The film took part in the European Film Market (EFM), held as part of the Berlin International Film Festival.
It was selected at several prestigious international film festivals, winning a number of awards.
The Guest: Aleppo-Istanbul Poster
2016/ Turkey - Jordan83 min/ Drama
Original Title
Misafer: Halab-Istanbul
SYNOPSIS
The film follows the journey of Lena and Meryem during their escape from the war in Syria. Lena is a ten-year-old girl who has lost her family in the war. She finds herself forced to make her way to Turkey with her baby sister and their neighbor Meryem, along with the other refugees. Lena wants to return home, while Meryem’s hope is to reach Europe.
CAST
Saba Mubarak
Rawan Skeif
Ahmad-Homam Hout
Şebnem Dönmez
CREW
Screenwriter: Andaç Haznederoğlu
DOP: Hayk Kirakosyan
Efe Kubilay
Editor: Ahmed Hafez
Can Yagan
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Production Company(ies)
Istanbul Film Production (IFP)
Istanbul Digital (ID)
Pan East Media
ANDAC Film
Producer(s)
Saba Mubarak
Andaç Haznederoğlu
film festivals
Arab Women Film Festival, Sweden
LET’S CEE Film Festival, Austria
Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale), Germany
Arab Film Festival, South Korea
Boston Turkish Film Festival, USA
Antalya Film Festival, Turkey
International Bosphorus Film Festival, Turkey
Silk Road International Film Festival, Ireland
Beirut Women International Film Festival (BWFF), Lebanon
Dhaka International Film Festival, Bangladesh
Casablanca Arab Film Festival, Morocco
Arab Film Festival-Amman, Jordan
Manarat Mediterranean Film Festival, Tunisia
Malmö Arab Film Festival – MAFF, Sweden
film awards
Audience Award at the Antalya Film Festival, Turkey
Best Feature Film and Best Editing at the International Bosphorus Film Festival, Turkey
Best Feature and Best Actress at the Silk Road International Film Festival (SRIFF), Ireland
Special Mention at the Casablanca Arab Film Festival, Morocco
Quotes
“A powerful message of love and hope that raises awareness among audiences.”
Esraa El Radaida - Alghad