Jordanian short film Tala’Vision won two awards at the Max Ophüls Film Festival’s 42nd edition, which took place between 17 and 24 January.

Having its world premiere in Germany on 18 January 2021, the 27-minute movie won both the jury and audience awards for ‘Best Medium-Length Film’, being the only film to garner two recognitions in the festival.

Tala’Vision focuses on the eight-year-old Tala (Aesha Balasem), who finds her solace in watching television, which is banned in her war-torn reality.

Young Balasem was praised by the audience for her first remarkable appearance in front of camera and for her sensitive depiction of the character.

The festival’s jury said that “the director, Murad Abu Eisheh, succeeded in making a film that carries an absolute poetic.” They also underlined the great work of the director of photography, Philip Haines, and “the amazing actress, Aesha Balasem, who transferred to the viewers the feelings of her innocent and childish desire in the television. In just 27 minutes, the director created a compelling drama, full of longing for freedom and, above all, the desire for a normal life.”

Directed by Abu Eisheh, Tala’Vision also stars Ziad Bakri as Taher and Khalid Al-Tarifi.

This year, the festival took place online through the event’s streaming platform, which between 17 and 24 January recorded 39,054 film viewings by 12,795 registered users.

A total of 16 prizes worth EUR 118,500 were awarded to films across numerous sections. 

AHRAMONLINE