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HIJRA

by Shahad Ameen

synopsis

Twelve-year-old Janna sets off for Mecca with her strict grandmother, Sitti, and rebellious sister, Sarah, to perform Hajj. But before they reach their destination, Sarah vanishes — forcing Janna and Sitti into a tense, urgent search. Fearing Sarah’s father will find out, Sitti and Janna push themselves to the limit, desperate to uncover why Sarah disappeared. Their journey spans from southern Saudi Arabia to its northern borders, crossing old pilgrimage routes and confronting strangers, harsh landscapes, and long-buried family secrets. As they grow closer, Janna begins to unravel stories from Sitti’s rich and complex past. The search reveals deep intergenerational rifts among the women in their family. And as their difficult journey begins to echo the spiritual trials of Hajj, Janna and Sitti may find something greater than reconciliation — redemption.

international title: Hijra
original title: Hijra
country: Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Egypt, United Kingdom
year: 2025
genre: fiction
directed by: Shahad Ameen
film run: 115’
screenplay: Shahad Ameen
cast: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
cinematography by: M.I. Littin-Menz
film editing: Hervé de Luze, Mohamed Al-Daradji
music: Armand Amar
producer: Mohamed Al-Daradji, Faisal Baltyuor, Ayman Jamal, Mohammed Alawi, Mohamed Hefzy, Ali Atia Jabarah Al-Daradji, Abdullah Naser Al-Qahtani, Ahmed Al-Mulla, Abboud Ayyach
production: Human Film, Ideation Studios (SA), Biet Ameen (SA), Iraqi Independent Film Center (IQ), Film Clinic (EG), Daw Film – Film Commission | MOC (SA), Noon Art Media Production (SA), Three Arts (SA)

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