Misafir – The Guest

A film about a journey – between loss, escape and a new beginning – presented by the Turkish director Andaç Haznedaroğlu.

The film tells the story of Lena and Meryem fleeing from war in Syria. Lena is a ten-year-old girl who lost her family in the war. Together with her little sister and her neighbor Meryem, she is forced to flee to Turkey. Lena wants nothing more than to return home, but Meryem hopes to start a new life in Europe. Finally they reach Istanbul, where new challenges await. Their efforts in the big city with its ruthlessness and coldness finally give hope: At the end of their odyssey both have learned to love and to be there for each other.

This gripping film by director Andaç Haznedaroğlu demonstrates that such a »journey« can await anyone of us, because the question is: What will you do when war breaks out in your hometown tomorrow? Watching Meryem and Lena on their way overcoming numerous obstacles and becoming heroines of their own story helps to increase an deeper understanding for the feelings of the Syrian refugees and the realities they face every day.

Afterwards the director Andaç Haznedaroğlu will be available for questions.

Please note: The film will be shown in Turkish and Arabic with German subtitles.