A deep feeling of nostalgia takes hold of Ali following his mother's death, causing him to slowly drift away from family life. Although Gabrielle senses her husband's distress, she fails to console him. In an attempt to reconnect with his roots, Ali travels to Arwad, an island located off the Syrian coast. Leaving Montreal and his family behind, he is accompanied by Marie, his mistress, who is discovering the island for the first time. After an unexpected turn of events, the confrontation between Gabrielle and Marie will become inevitable.
Cinematography
Arwad island itself — crumbling beauty as metaphor.
Acting
Ramzi Choukair's hollow-eyed grief, avoiding everyone including himself.
Director
Samer Najari
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Arwad is the only inhabited island in Syria, a Phoenician settlement older than recorded history — the film uses its layered ruins as literal and figurative backdrop for Ali's collapsed sense of self.
The directors spent years developing this story, reportedly inspired by Lebanese-Canadian experiences of return journeys that disappoint — the island's physical decay mirrors the impossibility of going home again.
CA
