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The Thing with Feathers

Federding

Directed by Tianlin Xu

Trailer

Between childcare, hope, and routine: the hands of a family tell a story of integration, stagnation, and small steps in exile.

Synopsis

The life of an Iranian-Afghan family in Germany is shown solely through their hands. Iranian doctor Maryam came to Germany two years ago with her family as asylum seekers. After the birth of her baby daughter Yara, she sticks to a strict daily study routine in the hope of returning to her medical profession, while her husband Hossain looks after the baby at home. On this particular day, Hossain has a job interview at a photo studio, and Maryam has to change her daily routine. The film is based on true stories, and the characters in the film are played by non-professional actors. The director's subtle nuances give us a glimpse into a world in the middle of Germany that is still foreign to many Germans. FEDERDING is based on real experiences and is played by amateur actors. Director Tianlin Xu deliberately avoids dramatic exaggeration and instead relies on subtle nuances. By focusing on hands as a central means of expression, a special closeness to the protagonists is created. The film deals with migration, integration, and the challenges of starting over in a foreign country. The film has been shown at several international festivals and has won awards. At the Blicke Film Festival in the Ruhr region, it received the WEITBLICK – trailer Ruhr Prize for its unusual perspective. Other festival appearances include the FIRST International Film Festival in China, the Golden Horse Film Festival in Taiwan, the NOWNESS Festival in Shanghai, and the Hong Kong International Film Festival, where it was nominated for the Firebird Award.
Director
Tianlin Xu
Duration (min)
Year
Country
Germany
Rating
0
Audio
Farsi
Subtitles
German, English
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