ROADS OF ITHRIYAH (2022)
A film by Javier Badillo
Starring:
Shayan Bayat, Bahram Heidari, Mitra Lohrasb, Priya Kooner, Lochlyn Munro, Juan Riedinger, Sarah Kelley, and Garry Chalk
Distributed by Indie Rights LLC
indierights.com
Watch now on Amazon Prime:
amzn.to/3GXNPNk
roadsofithriyah.com
spitshineflicks.com
directed/co-written/produced by Javier Badillo
starring/co-written/produced by Shayan Bayat
director of photography/producer Jay Kamal
A film by Spitshine Flicks / Ascendance Media / Wethic Media / Jazeffects Media / Explorart Films / PK Studio Productions
Watch Trailer #1 here:
youtu.be/4XJ66sjA3bQ
Synopsis:
Ahmad (Shayan Bayat), a young militant in war-torn Syria, regains consciousness in the desert battlefield after being shell-shocked, only to find that he has no recollection of what side he was fighting for. Injured and out of supplies, Ahmad begins to walk toward Ithriyah, a crossroads outpost known to lead to any faction in the war. Exhausted and dehydrated, Ahmad is near collapse when he is rescued by Khalid (Bahram Heidari, voiced by Garry Chalk) a mysterious soldier who is eager to bring him back to the battle. However, as partial memories of his mother Atifah (Mitra Lohrasb) and younger sister Saffiyah (Priya Kooner) slowly resurface, Ahmad begins to doubt his reasons to rejoin the fight.
REVIEWS (Premiere at the MENA Film Festival, Vancouver)
“Roads of Ithriyah is a transformation in the discussion of war and also in storytelling: that smooth, harmonious integration of visual art, poetry, stream of consciousness, and time/geographical existence. It takes real skill to tackle deep philosophical questions with such minimalism. Shayan’s performance was phenomenal. Congratulations on the premiere of this gem.” – Aixa K.
“It lingered with me - and continued to linger - two days later.” – Christie M.
“The photography was magnificent and there were lots of lovely details (like the fact that our protagonist was in his military wear in the domestic scenes!). Terrence Malick is my favorite director (auteur) at the moment, so you'll guess that I loved the voice-over and the poetic feeling.” – Kari T.
“Inspiring and illuminating” – John L.
