In 2025, ›Sink‹ by Jordanian director Zain Duraie was awarded the Ecumenical Jury Prize. "This debut film from the Middle East sensitively explores the complex dilemmas faced by families raising a child with special needs. An exciting story full of haunting scenes," the jury said in their statement.
Sink
awarded with the Ecumenical Award 2025
It’s Basil’s final school year, exams are fast approaching. After an incident with a teacher, the socially awkward student is summarily suspended from school. Loving Basil deeply, his mother Nadia thinks this is a great injustice. Doing her best, she tries to support him through the difficult exam preparations at home. The two are very close and this situation brings them closer still. Yet even within that closeness exists a dangerous abyss. The largely absent father, who lacks any real bond with his son, wishes he had a ‘normal child’. Gradually, Basil’s mental struggles become a danger to the entire family. Is there any way out for the young man? An authentically acted, thrilling psychological drama that keeps you guessing until the end.
Director: Zain Duraie
Country: Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, France
2025 | 88 min. | Arabic
Subtitles: German, English
Cast_ Clara Khoury, Mohammed Nizar, Wissam Tobeileh Screenplay_ Zain Duraie Camera_ Farouk Laaridh Producer_ Alaa Alasad, Hind Anabtawi Rights_ Tabi360