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Midnight Traveler
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Midnight Traveler
IDFA 2019

Midnight Traveler

Hassan Fazili
United States, Afghanistan
2019
86 min
Dutch Premiere
Festival history
For over a year, Hassan Fazili and Fatima Hossani have tried in vain to get political asylum for themselves and their two daughters. Now they get sent from Tajikistan back to their native country of Afghanistan, where Hassan has a bounty on his head for making a TV documentary about a renegade Taliban commander. This perilous situation prompts the family to brave the dangers of entering Europe illegally, and they document this journey with their cell phones.

Similar stories have been told, and still it remains essential to witness the effects of European migration policies from the perspective of people simply looking for a basic level of security. What’s more, the characteristics of this particular family take the film to a higher level. Both Hassan and Fatima are filmmakers, and their 11-year-old daughter Nargis, who steps in as the third camera operator, is clearly comfortable on either side of the lens.

The family largely maintains a playful optimism in the face of perpetual uncertainty, deceit and hostility. It’s the strength of their bond that leaves a lasting impression.
Credits
Director
Production
    Emelie Mahdavian for Old Chilly Pictures LLC,
    Su Kim
    Emelie Mahdavian for Old Chilly Pictures LLC,
    Su Kim
Co-production
    Fatima Hussaini,
    Ahmad Imami
    Fatima Hussaini,
    Ahmad Imami
Editing
    Emelie Mahdavian
    Emelie Mahdavian
Music
    Gretchen Jude
    Gretchen Jude
Sound Design
    Daniel Timmons
    Daniel Timmons
Screenplay
    Emelie Mahdavian
    Emelie Mahdavian
Cinematography
Screening copy
    Doc and Film International
    Doc and Film International
World Sales
    Doc and Film International
    Doc and Film International

Images

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