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The Translator

Qumra Projects

Rana Kazkaz, Anas Khalaf / Feature Narrative / Syria, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Qatar / 2020
In Arabic, English
Interests: Drama, Thriller, Politics, War
Rated: This film has not been rated.

Synopsis

Having gotten into trouble with the Syrian government, Sami has been living for years as a political refugee in Australia, working as an Arabic–English translator. And although he has adapted well to his new life, he is haunted by feelings of guilt for having abandoned his brother and sister. In 2011, the Syrian revolution starts unexpectedly, and Sami receives a video of his brother being arrested for peacefully demonstrating. The horrifying event brings up painful memories of when their father was similarly arrested by the regime thirty years earlier. Seizing this moment as a way to make up for the past, Sami makes the dangerous journey back to Syria in order to find his brother. Once there, Sami becomes increasingly aware of his responsibility towards his country and family, leading him just like his father and brother did—to risk everything for freedom.

About the Director

Rana Kazkaz, a Syrian-American, currently lives with her family in Doha, having left Damascus as a result of the ongoing Syrian conflict. Kazkaz holds an MFA in Acting from Carnegie Mellon University/Moscow Art Theatre and attended the Directing Workshop for Women at the American Film Institute. She is the writer and director of four short films including ‘Mare Nostrum’ (2016). In addition to developing other feature films, Rana is Assistant Professor in Residence at Northwestern University in Qatar where she teaches filmmaking.

Anas Khalaf is a Syrian-French filmmaker who currently lives in Doha, having left Damascus with his family as a result of the Syrian conflict. He holds a BA from the Normandy Business School, and with his wife, Rana Kazkaz, co-founded the production company Synéastes Films in 2010. He is the director of three short films, including ‘Mare Nostrum’ (2016), which has been selected in over 100 festivals, including Sundance and Dubai, and has won 35 international prizes. He also works as an actor, having played roles in ‘Dégradé’ (2015), ‘With Premeditation’ (2014) and the television series ‘The Bureau’ (2015-).

Credits

Director

Rana Kazkaz, Anas Khalaf

Screenwriter

Rana Kazkaz, Magali Negroni

Producer

Anas Khalaf, Nicolas Leprêtre, Raphaël Alexandre

Production Company

Georges Films

Cast

Ziad Bakri

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