Red Carpet & Award Ceremony 🎫 Get Your Tickets
Original Film Title: BEGGING THE SILENT HORIZON
Director’s Name: Reihaneh Youzbashi Dizaji
Writer’s Name: Reihaneh Youzbashi Dizaji
Producer: Reihaneh Youzbashi Dizaji
Country of Origin: Germany
Country of Filming: Germany
Language: English
Runtime: 7 hours 56 minutes
Film Description:
A group of about 30 refugees from various countries is heading west. They travel in containers, covering long distances without rest or supplies. Soha, a 14-year-old girl, loses her only companion—an elderly man from her village—who dies early in the journey. Though she barely knew him, he offered her protection and trust. Now, she must continue alone.
The biggest barrier is language. Soha understands no one, so all spoken languages remain unintelligible. During a rest after a long forest march, she is raped by two smugglers. Trapped and powerless, she stays silent and continues with the group. Fearing further assault, she steals a knife. Wali, a 19-year-old, notices and decides to stay close. Though they don’t share a language, his kindness slowly earns her trust.
The group is hidden in an abandoned sports hall, where they endure ten days in the basement—days that stretch into unbearable weeks. Soha refuses to speak and suffers from nausea, prompting rumors of pregnancy. Their smugglers remain missing. When food runs low, some young men go searching but are reported to the police. One is arrested; Wali and others escape with minor injuries.
Wali suggests they leave the group and flee together. Against all odds, they reach Germany and share a room in a refugee shelter, posing as a couple. Soha is visibly pregnant, and a deep friendship grows between them.
One day, Wali believes he sees Soha’s rapist. In a fit of rage, he attacks the man with an iron rod. The man—innocent—dies from his injuries. Wali is convicted and deported.
Soha remains behind, gives birth in Germany, and begins building a new life. The memory of Wali stays with her.