Abouna

Abouna is a truly touching film about relationships between siblings. The world is turned upside down for Tahir (15) and Amine (7) when their father suddenly disappears from the family. From now on their everyday life is a constant search for their father, and the brothers are eventually placed on a nearby Koran school by their mom. The disappearance of their father is especially hard for Amine, who seems to fade away physically as it becomes clear that he is not returning. Amidst all the sadness, a five year older mute girl becomes a positive and exciting distraction for Tahir.

Director Haroun composes striking images. Especially the brother’s visit to the local cinema, when they believe they’re seeing their father on the screen is captivating and reminds one of such films as Woody Allen’s The Purple Rose of Cairo, and Cinema Paradiso.

Mahamat-Saleh Haroun (1961) has been working as a director in his home country Chad since the early 1990’s. In Norway he is probably most famous for the festival favourite A Screaming Man from 2010. In addition, the Films from the South movie Grisgris from 2013 is probably one of the highlights from his career so far.