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DEVELOPMENT
DUNIA is a feature length drama film set in Iraq, the debut feature film of Iraqi director Yasir Kareem. It aims to depict the life of an Iraqi woman through a unique artistic vision. While studying abroad in Estonia at the Baltic Film & Media School, Yasir partnered with American / Italian producer Clare Fog. Both agreed on the need to spread awareness of Iraqi cinema to a wider international audience, featuring stories that reflect everyday life in Iraq. Now in its second draft, the team has partnered with Ishtar Iraq Film Production, under the direction of producer Huda Al Kadhimi, and has additional support from Iraqi Independent Film Center and Alawj Media, both based in Baghdad. We continue to develop the story as we seek investors and collaborators to help bring DUNIA to life.
THE STORY
Dunia daydreams a special life with her right hand, imagining her five fingers having lives of their own, each with a distinct personality. Their presence has influenced her since she was a child. When alone, she converses with them, making voices, sometimes seeking isolation to hold important conversations with them. Dunia lives vicariously through each of them:
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PINKY
Wrapped in a bandage, she lives a stay-at-home life, but secures a teaching position at a rural clay school. But with final exams for her teenage daughter, Zahraa, her husband forces her to quit. Before leaving, Belquis, a 14-year-old student, asks Dunia to help her escape an arranged marriage. Dunia’s inability to help the girl arouses a sense of guilt when the girl commits suicide, reminding her of the death of her brother.
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RING FINGER
The ring comes off. Dunia gets a divorce, returning to her parents’ home in Baghdad, serving them again. Conflict arises when they treat her like a child, and Zahraa as their own daughter. Her fingers lead her out of the house, discovering it was another student who committed suicide, and Belquis only ran away.
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MIDDLE FINGER
Dunia searches for Belquis, joining a humanitarian organization. She meets Tariq, suffering from paralysis in his right hand. He falls in love with Dunia, but she’s unable to get close to any man who approaches her. In an IDP camp, she chases a girl who looks like Belquis. When visiting a mental hospital, a palm reader predicts she’ll fall in love with a monster with many fingers.
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THUMB
Strong, like her thumb, Dunia becomes an activist. Dunia’s father receives death threats over an old vendetta. When he was a soldier during Saddam Hussein’s era, he caused a soldier to commit suicide. To settle the debt, the family wants Dunia to marry into the deceased soldier’s family, an old tradition, yet she is horrified by his hideous figure, 12 fingers on his hands. Dunia wrestles with this monster, ultimately falling in love with him.
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FOREFINGER
Dunia becomes a prominent women’s rights defender, believing Belquis is present in every young woman needing help.
JOIN THE JOURNEY
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