Palestine, France, Germany, 2015, 15’
directed by: Basil Khalil
written by: Basil Khalil, Daniel Yáñez
cast: Maria Zreik, Huda Al Imam, Shady Srour, Ruth Farhi, Maya Koren
cinematography: Eric Mizrahi
edited by: Basil Khalil
producers: Eric Dupont, Eric Fantone
production: Incognito Films
Cannes Film Festival 2015; Sydney Film Festival 2015; Palm Springs International ShortFest 2015 – Bridging the Borders Award, Special Mention (live action short 15 minutes and under)
Five sisters are spending their days in the Convent of Sisters of Mercy in the West Bank in silence and prayers. Their daily routine is disrupted by a family of religious Israeli settlers whose car crashes into the convent wall. Sabbath is approaching and they need to go back home as soon as possible. However, Jews are not allowed to use phone on Sabbath. The sisters, on the other hand, have taken vows of silence. Together they come up with an unusual plan for the family's return.
Basil Khalil, award-winning director, born and raised in Nazareth, to a Palestinian father and british mother. In 2011, he was selected by Screen International as one of the "top 10 Arab filmmakers to watch". He is currently developing the screenplay for his feature film debut.