Virginia Film Festival

Soon after the birth of Sakina’s son Muzamil, a traveling sheik prophecies that he will die at age 20. Muzamil’s father, distraught by the implications of the curse, abandons his family, leaving the devastated Sakina to raise their son on her own. Despite his fate, Muzamil becomes increasingly curious about life beyond his mother’s confines and is soon allowed to study the Quran with the other children his age, discovering friends, enemies, love, and temptation. This daring “coming-of-death” feature offers an examination of the passage of time marked by an intense yearning for more and the anticipation of loss. Discussion with director Amjad Abu Alala, moderated by Samhita Sunya (VAFF/UVA) to follow.

You Will Die at 20 Is part of the Middle Eastern & South Asian Film Series supported by UVA Arts Council: Enriching the Arts on Grounds, the Institute of the Humanities and Global Culture, and UVA Department of Middle Eastern & South Asian Languages & Cultures