The Long Night

2009
7.6| 1h34m| en
Details

The Long Night (Al Layl Al Taweel) is amongst the boldest and most unique feature length dramas in the conditional oeuvre of Syrian cinema. Four prisoners are about to be released after serving 20 years as political detainees. About to return to society, they grapple with complications that have developed in their absence: new towns, new ideologies but most of all, new family dynamics. Questions arise as to what extent their political dissidence was worth their separations from families and the losses their loved ones have endured. While some stand fast to their choices, others look to turn a new page... Made in 2009, the film is yet to be released in Syria, despite being a production ostensibly supported by the regime. The film, while reflecting a short era of reconciliation and reduced censorship attempted by Bashar Al Assad, remains highly relevant today for its treatments of forced loyalty signatures, arbitrary judgements, and systematic torture.

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Trailers & Clips

Also starring خالد تاجا

Also starring Amal Arafa

Also starring Najah Safkouni

Reviews

Stevecorp Don't listen to the negative reviews
Dorathen Better Late Then Never
Senteur As somebody who had not heard any of this before, it became a curious phenomenon to sit and watch a film and slowly have the realities begin to click into place.
Sameer Callahan It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.
s2ao As someone who grew up (mostly) in the Middle East, I understood the language, knew the actors, and knew the director. I went to see this with a friend (with no connection to the ME) fully expecting an at least decent film with reasonable acting. The premise was promising, but was completely wasted by the collective ineptitude of everyone involved.Firstly, everything looked artificial. The actors had loads of make up (even the men), the prison cell didn't look real, the dialogue was wooden and unconvincing, the scenes in Paris were completely pointless and also very fake and unnatural. This is all very strange, given that I know these people can act, I've seen them do it before! Perhaps Hatem Ali got lost, trying to imitate French Art-house? So, long and not-so-meaningful pauses, no dialogue, and badly translated scenes acted by a crazy playwright in his prison cell? Oh, and of course, the obligatory relationship drama bolted on top.Also, there seemed to be attempt to use fewer actors? Everyone was someone's partner, but also someone's brother/ daughter / son. Which made the little plot that was there really confusing.Anyway, none of the film made sense, it was boring, and the relationship between the characters weren't explored, there was no humour, and no characters one could engage with or feel for. It just falls flat in every way possible.So in summary, kitschy villas, a lot of make up, and boredom, that's what I remember from it. What a waste of talent, time and story.

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