Zain Duraie’s debut feature is a magnificent portrait of a mother struggling with her son’s unravelling mental state in a film buoyed by the sublime camerawork of Farouk Laâridh (Four Daughters).
Mental health issues are a taboo subject in many countries. Jordan is no exception. Based on a personal story, this poignant debut feature, written and directed by Zain Duraie, deals with the close relationship between a mother and her mentally disturbed teenage son.
Expelled from his school because of his behaviour, Basil (Mohammad Nizar) cloaks himself in a hood, headphones clamped to his ears. The adults in his orbit oscillate between thinking he’s going through normal teenage rebellion and suspecting he has a psychological disorder. Basil’s mother, Nadia (Clara Khoury, perfect), is in denial, the flesh of her flesh escaping her. Fighting against the school establishment and her own family, Nadia tries to stay connected to, and understanding of, her son without judging him. Every game must be tested, every intervention should be tried.
Facing friends’ rejection because of her son, she follows him with devotion, from the swimming pool to the dance floor, convinced that he just needs guidance and that being connected with him will prevent other troubling outbursts.
With sublime cinematography from Farouk Laâridh (Four Daughters, TIFF ’23) and remarkable sound design by Isra Bañuelos, Sink doesn't illustrate a family drowning in turmoil, but rather a mother’s desperate attempt to stay as close as possible to a son who is drifting away.
CLAIRE DIAO
Screenings
Scotiabank 10
Scotiabank 8
Scotiabank 5