Eid is haunted by nightmares and feelings of guilt, harassed by colleagues, and misunderstood by his family. His desire to leave his home-town of Rahat and conquer the Parisian stage together with the love of his life is dashed when his parents force him into an arranged marriage. He finds hope in Skype conversations with his secret and likewise married girlfriend, Dounia, who lives in Paris, and refuge in writing. He repeatedly returns to the place where, long ago, he was the victim of a sexual assault: a cave – the source of his trauma and also his inspiration. Between the demands of his new wife, the accusations of his father, and the daily harassment on the construction site, he searches for a way out and is forced to ask himself what freedom actually means.
EID is the first feature film by a Bedouin film-maker in Israel. Yousef Abo Madegem creates here a highly emotional and, in part, psychological social drama that offers insight into the solitary inner life of a traumatised young man. At the same time, the narrative touches upon the living conditions of the Bedouin community—a minority in Israel. Actor Shadi Mar’is impressively portrays Eid’s conflict between rebellious indifference, sensitive openness, and angry restraint.
Text: Merlin Webers
Additional Screening
Thur, May 8, 18:00
BÜRGERBILDUNGSZENTRUM AMADEU ANTONIO
(Puschkinstraße 13, 16225 Eberswalde)
