When I Saw You

by Annemarie Jacir

When I Saw You

Synopsis

Jordan, 1967. The world is alive with change: brimming with reawakened energy, new styles, music and an infectious sense of hope. In Jordan, a different kind of change is underway as tens of thousands of refugees pour across the border from Palestine. Having been separated from his father in the chaos of war, Tarek, 11, and his mother Ghaydaa, are amongst this latest wave of refugees. Placed in "temporary" refugee camps made up of tents and prefab houses until they would be able to return, they wait, like the generation before them who arrived in 1948. With difficulties adjusting to life in Harir camp and a longing to be reunited with his father, Tarek searches a way out, and discovers a new hope emerging with the times. Eventually his free spirit and curious nature lead him to a group of people on a journey that will change their lives.

When I Saw You is the story of people affected by the times around them, in search of something more in their lives. A journey full of adventure, love, humor, and the desire to be free, but most of all this is a story about that moment in a person's life when he wakes up and finds the whole world is open and everything is possible - that moment you feel most alive.

Director

Annemarie Jacir is a pioneer filmmaker in the region and part of a new wave of Arab filmmakers who have made a name on the international scene. Named one of Filmmaker magazine's 25 New Faces of Independent Cinema and Variety's "Rab Pack: The Arab New Wave", two of her films have premiered as Official Selections at the Cannes Film Festival, one as an Academy Award finalist, and one in Venice. Her first feature film, "Salt of this Sea" (Cannes 2008), was Palestine's Oscar Entry for Best Foreign Film and was noted as the first feature film directed by a Palestinian woman. Salt of this Sea won the prestigious FIPRESCI Critic's Prize, amongst other awards. Annemarie teaches screenwriting and works as an editor and film curator, actively promoting independent cinema. "When I Saw You" is her second feature film.

Cast

Mahmoud Asfa
Ruba Blal
Saleh Bakri

Crew

Written and directed by: Annemarie Jacir
Cinematographer: Helene Louvart
Editor: Annemarie Jacir, Panos Voutsaras
Sound: Kostas Varibopiotis, Raja Dubayeh
Music: Kamran Rastegar
Production Designer: Hussein Baydoun
Executive Producer: Annemarie Jacir, Christos V.Konstantakopoulos
Producer: Ossama Bawardi
Production Company: Philistine Films, Lamma Shoftak LLC

Technical Data

Format: 35mm / DCP / Color / 93 min
Original language: Arabic

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When I Saw You
When I Saw You

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