The blind ferryman Ayoub lives in the southern Iraqi marshes. He knows how to find his way around despite his lack of eyesight, earning his money by ferrying people and goods around the wetlands. In the evenings, he often enjoys drinks with his friends, talking about the mysteries of life until late into the night. One of these evenings, they are attacked by a group of religious radicals. Trying to escape, Ayoub is lost for the very first time in his life. He is rescued by a mysterious woman who disrupts his very existence. Captivated by her, his life revolves more and more around their secret encounters. Yet nobody believes him when he talks about her, and rumours start to spread that he has lost his mind. When even his friends start to distance themselves, Ayoub’s self-doubt grows until he no longer knows what is reality and what is imagination.

Fiction feature film project in development, planned length 90′, written by Ali Al-Fatlawi and Joël Jent, to be directed by Ali Al-Fatlawi, produced by Samir for Dschoint Ventschr Filmproduktion, photographed by Michel Gilgen

Awards / Selections
SSA Société des Auteurs Suisse – Development Award 2020 / MAFF Malmö Film Market – Swedish Film Institute – Development Award 2020 / Doha Film Institute – Development Grant 2021 / El Gouna Film Festival – Springboard Award 2021 / Red Sea Film Festival – Development Grant 2021 / AFAC Arab Fund for Arts and Culture – Development Grant 2021 / Cannes Film Festival – Cinéfondation L’Atelier 2022