After escaping their conservative societies, three women, rent rooms in an old Damascene house in Damascus, Syria, where they manage to create a safe space isolated from the madness of the post-war era. But soon the girls start facing many threats, thus protecting their fragile space becomes a challenge.
SYNOPSIS
After leaving their homes, in pursuit of basic human freedoms, three girls: Rama (27), Marah (27), and Lilian (25), who meet and rent rooms in an old Damascene house owned by Um Mousa (72), in one of the more liberal parts of Syria.
In the house and Bab Touma -isolated from reality- witness the diary of the girls’ lives and their journey of self-discovery. A close relationship forms between them, darkness and power outages make for the ritual of staying up by candlelight and exchanging conversations about sensitive subjects none of them dares bring up beyond the walls of house No.7, finding solace and companionship within the walls of the house as the world outside rages with conflict and chaos.
But their peace begins to be increasingly disrupted due to events outside their home, the collective emigration of their peers, and the pressure of their families, in addition to struggling to secure the most basic needs. Deterioration is evident in the state of the house it reaches climax after a devastating earthquake takes place in Syria followed by repetitive bombings, which creates yet another decline.
Exhausted and unable to bear new blows, the girls begin seriously planning another escape, this time outside the country. Lilian and Marah leave, and Rama stays behind, still indecisive about what she wants to do next.
Supporter Statement
“The panelists wanted to make special note of their pitch’s focus on foregrounding resilience and joy despite insurmountable challenges - their film is a testament for the potential for cinema to be transcendent in these difficult times.” - Special Jury Recognition at Camden International Film festival
ABOUT FILMMAKER(S)
Rama Abdy
Rama Abdi, born in 1995, is a DOP and an independent director from Damascus, Syria. She is a student at the Higher Institute of Cinema in Syria, and a graduate of the Department of Business Administration. She began her filmmaking journey in 2018. Her first short documentary, “Fish Dance,” was produced in 2022 and premiered at the 7th 7ème Lune Festival in Paris. She is also currently working on her first feature-length documentary, “House Number 7”
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