Thursday, March 21, 9:00 pm | Scotiabank Theatre Toronto
VALLEY OF EXILE
Directed by Anna Fahr
106min | Drama | Toronto Premiere
Set in the early years of the Syrian war, Valley of Exile chronicles the journey of Rima and Nour, two sisters who find unexpected refuge in a makeshift settlement in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley after fleeing war-torn Damascus. Older sister Rima, who is eight months pregnant, is set on reuniting with her husband and rebuilding their lives in Lebanon while younger sister Nour is determined to find their missing brother and eventually return home to Syria.
In the camp, the sisters forge alliances with other women who are similarly forced to live without the support of family they've lost to the war. This propels them onto separate paths: Rima finds work as a housekeeper, hoping to earn money to rent an apartment before her baby is born, while Nour sets out to investigate their brother's whereabouts, risking her own safety in the process.
As days in the camp turn to weeks, Rima and Nour begin to realize that their journey together into exile is not only a struggle for survival, but ultimately a test of loyalty to their country, their family and each other.
Preceded by the short film:
KHASTEGARI
16min | Drama
The day of her Khastegari has arrived and Mona’s family approach her one by one to weigh in on her decision to accept Ali’s marriage proposal. She finds it impossible to escape the pressure to please everyone, especially her sister Mitra who had been teenage sweethearts with Ali. Mona’s left in a predicament: should she stay with her family in Iran or break her sister’s heart?
Director: Camil Ghajary
Writer: Jila Mirzaei
Producer: Camil Ghajary
DOP: Benjamin Wong
Editor: Camil Ghajary
Music: Kaivon Ghajary
Cast: Parastoo Amanzadeh, Mahsa Ershadifar, Kimia Kalantari, Ghazal Partou, Jila Mirzaei