Ensilumi
Every morning, 13-year-old Ramin's mother tenderly wakes up her son. She then wakes up his father and little sister and they calmly start their day. The Mehdipour family seemingly live an everyday life, their life takes place in a Finnish refugee centre, however, as they have fled Iran. While Ramin is wondering how to approach the girl he has a crush on, his parents have far bigger concerns: their application for asylum will most likely be denied, which could means that they will be deported. They can still appeal, but they also know that bureaucracy in Finland is a slow-moving machine. Still, Ramin's father keeps a positive attitude.
In his feature debut with this topical coming-of-age story, director Hamy Ramezan shows how people manage to keep their dignity even when faced with an indifferent government that can determine their future at the stroke of a pen. The story is based on his own experiences.
WCA x De Balie
This film can also be seen at De Balie on August 22. Click here for tickets.
HAMY RAMEZAN (1979, Iran) is a Finnish-Iranian director and screenwriter who fled persecution in Iran. He graduated from the film school at UCA, Franham, in 2007 and has made several shorts. Listen (2015) premiered at Cannes Directors’ Fortnight 2015, screened at over 200 festivals and was nominated for Best Short at the European Film Awards. Ensilumi is his feature debut.
