A feature film from Yemen is a great rarity. Here, director Amr Gamal has chosen to fictionalise a real-life story that occurred within his circle of friends.
Isra’a (Abeer Mohammed) lives with her husband Ahmed (Khaled Hamdan) and their three children in the old port city of Aden in southern Yemen. Their everyday lives are shaped by the civil war. Ahmed used to work for television, but after several salary cheques were not paid, he is now earning his money as a driver. When Isra’a unexpectedly becomes pregnant, the couple faces a crisis. They both know they cannot afford a fourth child: they are about to move to a cheaper flat and the children’s school fees are due. Together they decide on an abortion.
Set against the backdrop of one of the world’s most devastating civil wars, this sensitive family drama provides us with a glimpse into the society of a country largely unknown beyond its borders.
The Burdened المرهقون was selected by our Ciné of Sanctuary steering group in partnership with Queen’s Film Theatre. After screening movies in partnership with QFT for for nearly two years, we are proud to be a small part in the mighty programme of Féile an Phobail ’26.
Limited free tickets will be available through charitable organisations. Please get in touch if you’d like to enquire about free tickets on qftmanager@qub.ac.uk
- Queen’s Film Theatre, 20 University Square, Belfast BT7 1PA
- Thursday, 30th July
- 18.00 – 19.30
- Cost: £5.69-£9.80 (Family £23.20)
More information and booking: https://queensfilmtheatre.com/Whats-On/The-Burdened
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Ciné of Sanctuary is a community cinema programme delivered in partnership with Queen’s Film Theatre. Working with refugee and asylum-seeking communities, it creates inclusive screenings, community-led film events and workshops. Decisions and programming are shaped collaboratively with a steering group made up of people from refugee and asylum-seeking communities. The group works closely with QFT on film selection, event organisation and wider advice and support, ensuring that Ciné of Sanctuary remains grounded in lived experience.
The programme began with a simple aim: to open up access to cinema and create opportunities for people to invite others from their own and different communities into these experiences. In this way, events are not only attended but shared with neighbours, classmates, colleagues, community groups and beyond, creating new memories and common points of reference.
However, access alone is not enough. Without opportunities for connection, participation and ownership, cultural activity can remain separate from everyday life rather than becoming part of it. That is why Ciné of Sanctuary builds relationships over time, working closely with individuals and communities to create events that reflect their experiences, cultures and interests. Participants are not only audience members; they are contributors who shape programming, develop ideas and bring their own perspectives. This helps people feel part of the wider cultural life of the city.
