Berlin Filmfest competition entry “Yunan” draws from director’s Syrian exile experience

The Berlin International Film Festival is presenting a poignant story of exile and yearning in Ameer Fakher Eldin’s “Yunan,” a film that draws heavily from the director’s own experiences with displacement. Eldin, whose family hails from the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights—a region formerly part of Syria—has infused his complex feelings about homeland and identity into this captivating cinematic piece.

“Yunan” centers on an exiled Arab writer, played by Lebanese actor Georges Khabbaz, who finds himself on a secluded German island. The film delves into the character’s inner turmoil, addressing themes of isolation, identity, and the quest for belonging.

Eldin’s personal background significantly shapes the film’s narrative. “My home itself became disconnected from its homeland, which is Syria. I cannot go there,” he expressed, underscoring the pervasive sense of separation in both his life and artistic expression. The complicated political status of the Golan Heights, captured by Israel during the 1967 Six-Day War and subsequently annexed, further enriches Eldin’s personal story with historical and political depth.

“It’s a homeland I don’t know, one I’ve never visited. It was back in the ’60s, but it’s a place I’ve envisioned often,” Eldin remarked. This feeling of a distant, almost mythical homeland lies at the emotional heart of “Yunan.”

The film is the first installment of a trilogy that started with Eldin’s 2021 work, “The Stranger,” and will conclude with “Nostalgia: A Tale In Its First Chapters.” This cinematic endeavor enables Eldin to examine the complex idea of “home” from diverse angles.

Khabbaz’s performance has received acclaim, particularly for his portrayal of the character’s alienation. As someone who does not speak German, Khabbaz noted that his own experience as an outsider in a foreign land influenced his role. “Being a stranger to the language, the place, and the people helped me immensely,” he remarked. The film’s setting on a barren island further heightens the character’s sense of solitude.

“Yunan” is among the 19 films competing for the coveted Golden Bear award at the Berlin Film Festival, which wraps up on February 22nd. The film’s impactful exploration of exile and identity has struck a chord with both audiences and critics, igniting discussions about the universal human experience of displacement.

Ultimately, the film serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by the displaced and highlights the enduring ability of cinema to shed light on the human experience.