Refugee Stories and Redemption: Inside ‘Yunan’ Starring Hanna Schygulla

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As a film enthusiast residing in Berlin, I am proud to share that Ameer Fakher Eldin, born in Kyiv, Ukraine, to Syrian parents from the Golan Heights, is showcasing his work at the Berlinale competition. The film, titled “Yunan,” follows the life of a notable Arab author Munir, who has found refuge in Berlin but is grappling with profound inner struggles.

Struggling with a haunting past and an uncertain future, as the director describes, Munir sets off on a solitary trip to a distant island, contemplating taking his own life. However, upon arrival, he encounters an elderly, compassionate woman named Vaselka, portrayed by German film legend Hanna Schygulla. Her small acts of kindness spark within Munir a renewed longing for life.

As a movie enthusiast, I recently had the pleasure of watching “Yunan,” the captivating second installment in Fakher Eldin’s trilogy titled “Homeland.” This series was kick-started by his critically acclaimed debut feature film, “The Stranger,” which created quite a stir at the Venice Film Festival in 2021. In this movie, we find our protagonist, an older man, making his way back to the Golan Heights from Russia, where he takes on the role of an unlicensed physician.

The film ‘Yunan’ features George Khabbaz, a versatile Lebanese actor, as Munir. It also stars Ali Suleiman, a Palestinian actor known for his role in “Paradise Now”, and Sibel Kekilli, recognized from “Game of Thrones”. The director recently discussed with EbMaster why ‘Yunan’ could potentially challenge Germany’s growing anti-immigrant sentiments.

How did the trilogy germinate?

The concept for this trilogy emerged as I recognized a sense of estrangement and exile as being intrinsically linked to my identity or the world I was raised in. My family originates from the occupied Golan Heights, and this region is characterized not just by historical displacement and resilience, but also by these themes being deeply ingrained in the day-to-day life.

Isn’t it accurate to describe “The Stranger” as a story of an individual who feels out of place within his own community, and “Yunan” as a tale of someone who finds himself alienated amidst unfamiliar people?

Absolutely! “Yunan” centers around a character who is compelled to live in exile and long for his lost homeland. The movie’s narrative originates from personal experiences as well as an intrigue about the future, the enigmatic, and the existential dread we all grapple with. I find myself captivated by questions that have no clear answers – life’s uncertainties, particularly when everything comfortable disintegrates. What resonates with me most is the refugee motif, whether it’s people displaced due to war or national crises like Ukrainians, Syrians post-Arab Spring, Sudanese, Egyptians, and everyone in between.

What was it like working with Hanna Schygulla?

Initially, Hanna was a refugee herself, originally from Poland and living in Munich. Her personal experiences include trauma and post-trauma from Nazi Germany, which made me ponder deeply about the concept of losing one’s home and culture. She posed a question to me: “Why can’t someone have two homes?” This notion has expanded my perspective on this film’s potential impact. The characters I selected seem to be exceptionally intelligent in this regard. When you watch Hanna Schygulla, who is 80 years old, you sense her authenticity. I believe this will connect with the audience on some level. If they can relate, it might serve as a lesson. They could view the film and think: “Perhaps we should reconsider our perspective towards strangers. Maybe we don’t need to worry so much.

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2025-02-17 09:46