TIFF 2024: To a Land Unknown (movie Trailer in arabic with english subtitles)
TIFF 2024: To a Land Unknown – A Gripping Thriller About Survival and Escape
Mahdi Fleifel is back at TIFF with his latest film, To a Land Unknown, a captivating thriller that blends themes of displacement, survival, and brotherhood. Already known for his acclaimed documentaries like A World Not Ours and the short A Drowning Man, Fleifel shifts into narrative storytelling with this North American premiere, delivering an intense, thought-provoking film about two cousins doing whatever it takes to escape their harsh reality.
The Story: A Desperate Search for Freedom
Set in the overcrowded, bleak streets of Athens, To a Land Unknown follows cousins Chatila (Mahmood Bakri) and Reda (Aram Sabbah), who are stuck in a limbo, trying to escape their past in a Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon. Their goal? A fresh start in Germany.
Chatila dreams of opening a café, while Reda hopes to protect it. But survival in a foreign land isn’t easy. To save money for fake passports, the cousins resort to petty crimes. The plan falls apart when Reda, battling an opiate addiction, blows their savings, leaving Chatila with no choice but to take bigger risks. Their desperation leads to a daring heist, where they pose as smugglers in a high-stakes gamble for freedom.
A Unique Spin on the Refugee Experience
Unlike many films about forced migration, To a Land Unknown isn’t just about the journey—it’s about the psychological toll of being trapped in a place that offers no future. Fleifel’s raw, emotionally charged storytelling gives a fresh perspective on exile, where time seems to stand still, and survival feels like a waiting game.
With influences drawn from Ghassan Kanafani’s 1962 novella Men in the Sun, the film presents a layered exploration of what it means to be displaced, constantly plotting, scheming, and hoping for a way out. Thodoros Mihopoulos’ weightless cinematography captures the suffocating atmosphere of Athens’ refugee neighborhoods, where dreams of a better life clash with the harsh reality of their situation.
Stellar Performances
At the heart of the film are standout performances by Mahmood Bakri and newcomer Aram Sabbah. Bakri, who delivers a powerful transformation as Chatila, portrays the intense emotional weight of a man who’s running out of options. Sabbah’s portrayal of Reda adds complexity to the story, as his character grapples with addiction and self-destruction, complicating their journey at every turn.
Together, the two actors create a dynamic that feels both intimate and explosive, embodying the bond of cousins raised more like brothers—one desperately trying to keep the dream alive, the other lost in his own inner struggles.
Why You Should Watch It
To a Land Unknown is more than just a thriller—it’s a deeply human story about the lengths people go to for freedom and the personal battles they face along the way. Fleifel’s ability to balance tension, emotion, and moments of raw vulnerability makes this film an unforgettable exploration of survival.
If you’re drawn to films that blend thriller elements with social commentary, this is one you won’t want to miss. It’s gritty, real, and sheds light on the psychological impact of forced migration in a way that feels personal and immediate.
Showtimes at TIFF 2024
Catch To a Land Unknown at these TIFF 2024 screenings:
- Thursday, September 5 – 6:45 pm (Scotiabank Theatre)
- Monday, September 9 – 6:45 pm (Scotiabank Theatre)
- Tuesday, September 10 – 3:15 pm (Scotiabank Theatre)
- Thursday, September 12 – 6:05 pm (Scotiabank Theatre)
If you’re ready for a thriller with heart and depth, To a Land Unknown should be at the top of your TIFF list. With its gripping performances and emotional storytelling, Mahdi Fleifel’s latest project is sure to leave a lasting impact.
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