The Survivor

The story

Based on Ghassan Kanafani's novel, 'Returning to Haifa,' this film, set in 1967, centres on a Palestinian couple who return to the war-torn city to search for their young son Farhan, whom they were forced to abandon when fleeing Zionist acts of terrorism in 1948. Saeed and Atefeh's own house has even been taken over by a Polish Jewish family, who, it transpires, are holding Farhan hostage. It is up to the couple, with the assistance of Farhan's steely grandmother, to find a way to reclaim their lost son. One of the few Iranian films to tackle the Palestinian issue from a historical perspective, this stunning piece of work from Seifollah Daad features meticulous attention to period detail and moving performances.

Cast & crew

Salma Al-MasriSafiyeh

Giana Eidلطيفة

Bassam Kousaيورام

Jamal SoleimanDr Saeid

Ghassan MassoudShamoon

Sabah Barakat

Sabah BarakatHanna

Alaa El Din Koksh

Alaa El Din KokshRashid

Hani Al Saadi

Hani Al Saadiإميل

Vilda Samour

Vilda SamourMaria

Hasan OweitiConductor

Esam Abjyالمفتش

Mohannad Qatesh

Mohannad QateshCast