The Station to Open Doha Film Festival With Middle East Premiere
Sara Ishaq's drama The Station will open the Doha Film Festival with its Middle East premiere, Variety reported on Sept. 23.
The festival runs Nov. 19-27 in the Qatari capital. Ishaq is a Yemeni-Scottish filmmaker. Her film arrives in Doha after starting its festival run in France. A Middle East premiere means this is its first screening in the region. The opening title is the first film shown and sets the tone for the week.
The story centres on Layal. She runs a women-only gas station in Yemen. The station serves as a safe haven during the civil war. The focus stays on Layal and the women who gather around her.
The cast features mostly non-professional Yemeni actors. That means people cast for life experience rather than screen careers. The approach often brings local detail to the performances. The production was supported by the Doha Film Institute.
The Station launched from Cannes Critics' Week in May. That strand at the Cannes Film Festival presents first and second features. It is an early showcase where new directors meet the industry. Sales agents and buyers watch those slots closely for titles that can travel.
It is produced by Screen Project, a Ta Films Company, and Georges Films. Co-producers are One Two Films, KeplerFilm, Barentsfilm, Setara Films and The Imaginarium Films, according to Variety. That spread of companies is normal in independent film. Different partners share costs, skills and rights across borders.
The festival is led by Fatma Hassan Alremaihi. She is chief executive of the Doha Film Institute. This year's programme includes four competition strands: international feature film, short film, Ajyal film and Made in Qatar. Each strand has its own selection and jury.
The inaugural Doha Film Festival opened with The Voice of Hind Rajab. That Gaza-set drama came from Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania. That first choice put regional storytelling at the centre of opening night.
What makes this stand out for Doha audiences is the circle closing. An institute-backed film returns for its regional premiere on opening night. It puts a Yemen-set story, told with Yemeni performers, at the top of the schedule.
