In war-torn Syria, a troubled woman, her idealistic son, and her mentally challenged cousin take in a wounded Western aid worker, unknowingly igniting a chain of deadly consequences that forces them to confront their pasts, their beliefs, and the brutal realities of survival.

CAST LIST:

Narrator: Steve Rizzo
Camill: Val Cole
Raawitya: Hannah Ehman

Get to know the writer:

1. What is your screenplay about?

The need to face one´s worst fears if any redemption or peace are to be found.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Drama.

3. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

It deals with the many traumas and desecrations of war, it delves into the divisions and differences from which conflicts spring and it evokes the love and common humanity that is our only hope.

4. How would you describe this script in two words?

Poignant. Inspiring.

5. How long have you been working on this screenplay?

Researching and imagining, for over 1 year. Planning for 2 months. From first words to completed draft, 4 months.

6. How many stories have you written?

Three.

7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?

The ravaging of the lives of civilian populations in Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, to name a few. A film from Syria (The Day I lost my Shadow). A film from Syria, Iraq, Kurdistan and Lebanon (Notturno). And a film from Afghanistan (Three Songs for Benazir). The similarity of the landscape (mountains and olive groves) of the place I live to the landscape of Northern Syria, where my story is set.

8. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?

Just the usual leaping with faith, being prepared to face my own mediocre work and to find a path to better, but that's the process in any script that's finished in draft and worthy of continued development.

9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

Photography - large format film photography particularly and portraits specifically. The landscape of the human face and all of the complex character that lay behind it.

10. What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?

A longstanding, highly-rated festival in Canada, outside of the LA epicenter - more receptive to indie film and not adverse to the drawing of main characters of Muslim faith.

11. What movie have you seen the most times in your life?
Fargo.