Search films, venues, guests...

Yunan

Directed by Ameer Fakher Eldin
Germany
2025
124 mins

Synopsis

A world-weary author retreats to a far-flung island in this evocative, Berlin-selected drama by Ameer Fakher Eldin (The Stranger, SFF 2022), featuring the legendary Hanna Schygulla.

Munir (Georges Khabbaz), an Arab author exiled in Hamburg, is plagued by mounting malaise and vivid dreams. Prescribed time off by his doctor, he travels to the remote Hallig islands, off Germany’s north coast. There, he meets the stoic innkeeper Valeska, played with quiet grace by Fassbinder muse Schygulla (The Marriage of Maria Braun, SFF 1979). Despite begrudging him his lack of reservation, she secures Munir last-minute lodgings. In this foreign place, he contemplates ending it all. Gradually, through the solace of nature and Valeska’s gentle friendship, Munir finds renewed appreciation for life. The second film in Fakher Eldin’s planned ‘Homeland’ thematic trilogy, Yunan is a mellow, poetic treasure.

Limited seats are available for patrons requiring access for wheelchairs, low vision and hearing loop. Please contact our ticketing team directly on 1300 733 733 or tickets@sff.org.au to complete your booking.

“The somber drama has a cumulative spell, intensified by its hypnotic visual command and an atmospheric principal setting.”
David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter

Tickets

Wed 11 June 2025, 8pm
Event Cinemas George Street - Cinema 11
WheelchairSubtitledAssisted Listening
Sun 15 June 2025, 8:30pm
Dendy Newtown - Cinema 2
WheelchairSubtitledAssisted Listening
  • Program Strand
    Features
  • Original Title
    يونان
  • Year
    2025
  • Classification
    Unclassified 15+
  • Country
    Canada, Germany, Italy, Jordan, Palestine, Qatar
  • Language
    In Arabic and German with English subtitles
  • Director
    Ameer Fakher Eldin
  • Producer
    Dorothe Beinemeier, Marco Valerio Fusco, Micaela Fusco, Catherine Chagnon, Tony Copti, Jiries Copti
  • Cast
    Georges Khabbaz, Hanna Schygulla, Ali Suliman
  • Screenwriter
    Ameer Fakher Eldin
  • Cinematographer
    Ronald Plante
  • Editor
    Ameer Fakher Eldin
  • Genre
    Arts, Middle East
  • Premiere
    Australian Premiere
  • Company Credits
    Australian Distributor: Cultural Media Australia

If you like this, you might like...

The President’s Cake
A rare film from Iraq, this Cannes Director’s Fortnight selected charmer is a humorous and touching debut about a young girl’s daring quest to bake a cake in the time of Saddam Hussein.
Twelve Moons
Shot in stunning black and white and awash with unforgettable imagery, this intense drama traces a middle-class architect’s descent into turmoil following a terrible disappointment.
The Things You Kill
In this surreal psychological thriller, a Turkish professor confronts his inner demons as he investigates the circumstances around his mother’s death. Winner of Best Director at Sundance.
Documentary
A Frown Gone Mad
In Bouba’s Beauty Salon in Lebanon, clients open up about their lives as their faces open up for Botox and filler in this unique and graphic yet mesmerising IDFA prize-winning doc.
Aboriginal FlagTorres Strait Flag

Sydney Film Festival acknowledges Australia’s First Nations People as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land, and pay respect to the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, upon whose Country SFF is based.

We honour the storytelling and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia.

Don’t miss a thing!

Whether you’re in Sydney or one of our rural locations, sign up to our newsletters for all the latest news and offers.

SFF
About
Support
In Partnership With:
Website by ED.

Don't miss a thing!

Whether you're in Sydney or one of our rural locations, sign up to our newsletters for all the latest news and offers.