Stars in Broad Daylight

Resurfaced by perfect chance in a time of hopeful rebuilding for Syria, Ossam Mohammad’s allegorical feature debut is captivating in its dreamlike visual language and satirical screenwriting. The multiplicity of characters’ emotions can be seen, quite literally, from every angle with oppressive interior spaces populated by mirrors, perhaps alluding to the breach of intimacy and a state of vigilance brought about by the Assad regime.”You are so lucky, you are the generation of the future,” the women are reminded as they prepare for their arranged marriages, bathing in the darkness of a thick, stoned walled room. Yet, following the absurdly catastrophic family reunion Sana departs for Damascus, leaving rural Ramah behind her in search of an impossible freedom that permanently transforms her gaze from one of hope, to one of emptiness.

~ Ane Lopez

Ossama Mohammed, born in Lattakiya in 1954, is a Syrian filmmaker, script writer, tutor and lecturer who graduated from the Russian State Institute of Cinematography (VGIK) in 1979. His long fiction films and documentaries Silvered Water (2014), Sunduq al Dunya (2002) and Nujoom Al Nahar (1988) have all been selected for the Cannes Film Festival. His films were banned in Syria, but received critical acclaim and awards internationally. Ossama served as president of jury, tutor, and speaker in many festivals and workshops, including Cannes, Berlin, Locarno, MoMa, and DOX BOX. In 2015, he received the Prince Claus Award.

Silvered Water, Syria Self-Portrait (2014), The Box of Life (2002), Al-Lail (Screenwriter) (1992), Stars in Broad Daylight (1988), Khutwa Khutwa (Step by Step) (1978)