Neighbours (2021 film)
2021 Kurdish film directed by Mani Kalil
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Neighbours (German: Nachbarn; Kurdish: Ciran) is a 2021 film written and directed by Mano Khalil. A Swiss/French co-production, the film depicts the experiences of a Kurdish boy in a small Syrian border village during the early 1980s. It premiered at the Berlinale’s European Film Market[1] and went on to screen at more than 200 festivals worldwide.[2]
Ivan Madeo
Michael Weber
Zirek
Jenan Mustafa
Tina Marian
Jay Abbo
| Neighbours | |
|---|---|
Sero looking toward sky | |
| Directed by | Mano Khalil |
| Written by | Mano Khalil |
| Produced by | Mano Khalil Ivan Madeo Michael Weber |
| Starring | Serhed Khalil Zirek Jenan Mustafa Tina Marian Jay Abbo |
| Cinematography | Stéphane Kuthy |
| Edited by | Maya Schmid |
| Music by | Peter Scherer |
Production companies | Frame Film Pallas Film MP Film Production |
| Distributed by | Menemsha Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 124 minutes |
| Country | Switzerland / France |
| Languages | Kurdish, Arabic, Hebrew |
Plot
Set in a Kurdish village on the Syrian–Turkish border, the film follows Sero, an innocent young boy. At age six he enters school for the first time, taught by a new teacher sent by the Ba’athist regime. The village school becomes an instrument of propaganda, with the children forced to speak Arabic; Kurdish language and culture are suppressed, and the children are taught to denounce Israel and praise the president. Largely told through Sero's perspective,[3] the story reveals how "absurd nationalism"[4] can destroy community bonds.
Cast
Production
The film was written and directed by Kurdish-Swiss filmmaker Mano Khalil, who based the story on his own childhood experiences near the Syrian–Turkish border.[6] It was produced by Frame Film in collaboration with Pallas Film and MP Film Production. Principal photography took place in Northern Kurdistan and Syria,[7] with post-production completed in Switzerland. Cinematography was by Stéphane Kuthy, and editing by Maya Schmid.
Themes
Release
Reception
The film received positive reviews from critics.
- The Jewish Film Review: "Very highly recommended”[1]
- St. Louis Jewish Light: "One of the year's best Jewish-interest films...powerful, satiric punch in its chilling depiction of how hatred is taught” [12]
- Film Matters Magazine: When balloons were lifting early in the film, it was a "stunning tapestry of color against a darkening sky, symbolizing the ongoing Kurdish resistance."[13]
- Out Now: "Nothing is trivialized from the child's eyes...an oppressive and thought-provoking drama."[14]
- Kurdistan Chronicle: "Humorous yet serious... providing light moments nestled between dark drama and dictatorship."[7]
- Variety: "A tale with a remarkably upbeat tone"[6]
Awards (selected)
- Youth Jury Prize – Innsbruck International Film Festival (2022) [15]
- Utopia Prize, for spreading "the magic of utopia, of ‘non-place’, along with ideas such as discovery, soul-searching, dreaming, courage, solidarity, justice and beauty;"[16] Castellinaria Festival[17]
- Best Script Award, Red Sea International Film Festival[17]
- Best Film, Gangneung Film Festival[17]
- Film Critics Jury Prize, San Francisco Jewish Film Festival, 2021[18]
- Audience Award, Boston Jewish Film Festival 2021[18]
- 2022 Young Jury Best Film, Hong Kong Asian Film Festival [19]
- Bern Film Award 2021 for THE BEST MOVIE 2021[20]