Standstill
Fall Grant 2011 - Production Stage
Majdi El-Omari / Feature Narrative / Canada, Palestine, Qatar / 2011 / 100 min / Colour and B&W / Original Language: Arabic, English, Mohawk / Interests: Drama, Politics, Immigration, Identity
Synopsis
Arihote is a Kanienkehaka photographer whose life is at a standstill. When he witnesses the murder of a neighbour, his stagnant existence is unexpectedly revitalised. Instead of calling the police, he finds himself clearing up the crime scene and helping the murderer, Widad, to avoid arrest. As Arihote embarks on a quest to rebuild his relationship with his son and resolve his feelings about his father’s suicide, he tries to figure out why he is allowing his interest in life to be revived by Widad. Their chance encounter may set both men on a new course.
Credits
- Director
- Majdi El-Omari
- Screenwriter
- Majdi El-Omari
- Producer
- Majdi El-Omari
About the Director
Majdi El-Omari is a Palestinian-Canadian filmmaker who grew up in Egypt. He studied cinema at the Cairo Film Institute and received an MFA in film production from Montreal’s Concordia University. His films tell stories that grow out of the existential situation of individuals living in a world that casts them in the role of victim. Apart from producing his own films, Majdi collaborates with other filmmakers who share his perspective. He is executive producer of ‘Juliano’, a new documentary directed by Emtiaz Diab about the recently deceased Palestinian filmmaker and theatre director Juliano Khamis.