In a fantasy world, the movie revolves around a dictator celebrating his birthday in his lavish palace. Following the delay of the singer, who has fallen into disrepair, due to compelling circumstances beyond his control, the tyrant becomes angry and punishes the singer by singing with his face towards the wall, and his back to the audience.

The screening will be followed by a Q&A with director Kassem Hawal via videocall.

Kassem Hawal
Born in 1940 in Basra, Iraq, Kassem Hawal is an award winning Iraqi director based in the Netherlands. He studied theater acting and directing at the Institute of Fine Arts in Baghdad. In 1970 he left Iraq and traveled to Lebanon and Syria, where he focused on making political films. He has also worked on films by the PLO. Hawal directed 28 documentaries and 5 features. Very active in the arts and culture in the Arab world, he was rewarded with honour in several film festivals, cultural and none cultural organizations, for his role in the Arabic and humanitarian culture.

2010 | 1h 31min
Arabic with English subtitles