The Middle East premiere of Yemeni-Scottish filmmaker Sara Ishaq’s timely drama “The Station” will open the revamped Doha Film Festival which will run Nov. 19–27 in the Qatari capital.
The film centers on Layal, who runs a women-only gas station in Yemen which is a safe haven during the country’s civil war. “When Layal’s younger brother faces enlistment, she is forced to reconnect with her estranged sister to save him,” says the synopsis. This fictional tale based on real events looks at the impact of civil war on the country just as Yemen is on the edge of a possible return to the civil war that killed 150,000 and brought many others close to famine.
“The Station,” which is supported by the Doha Film Institute, launched positively from the Cannes Critics’ Week in May.
The film’s selection as DFF opener “Continues the DFI’s long-standing commitment to nurturing promising talent from the region and bringing their stories to audiences around the world,” the fest said in a statement.
The film – which features mostly non-professional Yemeni actors – is produced by Screen Project (a Ta Films Company) and Georges Films. It is co-produced by One Two Films, KeplerFilm, Barentsfilm, Setara Films and The Imaginarium Films.
Last year’s Doha Film Festival inaugural edition opened with Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania’s politically charged Gaza-set drama “The Voice of Hind Rajab.”
