Available through November 12 – 22, 2020 powered by Seed&Spark
OMAR AND US (2019, Turkey)
Feature Film, Drama, Human Rights
Running Time: 103 min
NOMINATED FOR THE BEST SCREENPLAY, BEST DIRECTOR & BEST FEATURE FILM AWARD
Directors: Maryna Er Gorbach (Ukraine) & Mehmet Bahadir Er (Turkey)
Writer: Mehmet Bahadir Er
Producer: Mehmet Bahadir Er
Cast: Hala Alsayasneh, Cem Bender, Emrah Dogan
Logline: Ismet is a recently retired Turkish soldier who suddenly becomes neighbors with two refugees, Omar and Mariye. Through this firsthand experience of what refugees have to go through, he is finally able to face his own prejudices.
Synopsis: Ismet is a recently retired Turkish soldier whose last post was as a Commander of the Coast Guard at the Turkish maritime border. New to civilian life, he struggles to communicate with his family and the people around him. His only son abandoned him and left for the U.S., and now his wife wants to join her son, too. In an unexpected turn of events, he suddenly becomes neighbors with two refugees, Omar and Mariye. Through this encounter and firsthand experience of what refugees have to go through, he is finally able to face his prejudices and reexamine his worldview.
Notable Screenings & Awards: 35th Warsaw Film Festival (October 2019) with Ecumenical Jury Award, 10th South East European Film Festival / Best Film & Best Script & Best Actor (France), 7th Kayseri Film Festival / Best Film & Best Director (Turkey), 9th Malatya Int. Film Festival / Audience Best Film & Best Script (Turkey), 6th Santa Cruz Int. Film Festival / Best Film (Argentina), 15th South East European Film Festival Los Angeles / Honorable Mention (USA), 16th Kazan Int. Film Festival / Best Director & Best Actor (Russia Federation – Tataristan), 2nd Desertscape International Film Festival / Best Narrative Feature (USA), 40th Fantasporto Int.Film Festival / Best Actor (Portugal), 7th Antakya Int.Film Festival / Best Actor (Turkey), 31st Ankara Film Festival / Best Editing, 6th Bosphorus Film Festival / WIP / CGV Mars Film Distribution Award (Turkey).
