(Shorts 1)
Ward Kayyal
Palestine
19’ | 2022
Arabic with English subtitles
Hamza is a middle-aged man who refuses to abandon a routine he has kept since his release from Israeli jail; every day, he goes into the woods to hunt a lion that the locals don't believe exists. He finds refuge in his journey from social rejection and denial. In the woods, Hamza is free to act according to his beliefs, fighting his own battle to heal an open wound — the trauma of losing his childhood friend, and the horrific memories of torture and guilt.
Cast: Kamel Al-Basha, Ruba Blal, Motaz Malhes, Khoulod Tannous
Director of Photography: Ashraf Dowani
Editor: Saed Andoni
Sound: Sari Mattar
Music: Faraj Suleiman
Producer: Hiba Salameh
Production Company: Hiba Salameh Production
Ward Kayyal is a 26 year-old Palestinian director from Haifa. He finished his cinematography studies at the Menshar School of Art, where he specialized in directing and filming. This year, Kayyal worked on hundreds of projects and directed his debut short film. His contemporary depiction of current political and social themes reflects his ambition to enhance the Palestinian cultural landscape.