19546WAKEUPONMARS MAXIMEKATHARI 1

WAKE UP ON MARS

Year 2020
Runtime 74 mins
Language Swedish
Subtitles English Subtitles
Alberta Premiere
Availability
  • Online & In-Cinema

Preceded by the short film: RISE UP


Furkan, an 11-year-old boy who emigrated to Sweden from Kosovo with his family 4 years ago, is faced with a medical mystery that has changed the life of his family.

Furkan's two teenage sisters, Ibadeta and Djeneta, have been in a coma for over three years. They are not the only ones in Sweden who are victims of the "resignation syndrome" that affects asylum-seeking children, often following a threat of deportation. Having experienced a trauma witnessed by one of his sisters just before her illness, Furkan feels responsible and helpless when confronted by their condition. His imagination becomes his way to escape; in his mind, he is an astronaut who will go live on Mars.

Resignation Syndrome might sound familiar to those who have seen the ACADEMY AWARD® nominated short documentary from 2019, LIFE OVERTAKES ME. While there is no cast or crew connection between the films, it is a testament to the devastation that this syndrome can cause families dealing with refugee status and deportation. WAKE UP ON MARS offers an up-close look at the stress endured during such strenuous times, and the lengths young children will go to to avoid it.

Countries

France Switzerland
Festivals
Tribeca 2020
Director
Dea Gjinovci
Producer
Britta Rindelaub, Jasmin Basic, Sophie Faudel, Dea Gjinovci, Heidi Fleisher
Cinematographer
Maxime Kathari
Editor
Catherine Birukof
Music
Gael Kyriakidis, Fabio Poujouly, Jérémy Calame