Yasmeen’s Element

Yasmeen’s Element

TIFF65: Greek Premiere
A small yet phenomenal film from Pakistan takes us on a journey to the ends of the world to guide us through the boundless reservoirs of willpower that reside within us. Set against the backdrop of the Hunza valley, a stunning expanse on the foothills of the Himalayas that is renowned worldwide for the longevity of its inhabitants, but still remains a disputed region, a young elementary school student fights for her right to education with the tools she has at her disposal. When a group of paramilitaries interrupts class, Yasmeen loses her assigned homework (a presentation of an element from the periodic table), and as such she decides to take to the streets seeking the class teacher who has been arrested. With a singular camera following her through neighborhoods and villages in a minimalist style, and capturing her interactions with the (real) locals with both great sensitivity and attention to detail, Yasmeen learns through experience the limits of knowledge and power. Through a conversation with Abbas Kiarostami’s Where is My Friend's House, the multi-talented director, who shares the same name, generously provides us with an allegory full of warmth about the element that cannot be missing from the bigger picture of our world.
Screening Schedule

No physical screenings scheduled.

Direction: Amman Abbasi
Script: Amman Abbasi
Cinematography: Amman Abbasi, Ujjal Bastakoti
Editing: M.S. Smith
Sound: Nathan Ruyle
Music: Amman Abbasi
Actors: Eshal Fatima, Nazir Ahmed Bulbul, Abeera Rubab, Naveed Hassan
Production: Cximple Productions
Producers: Amman Abbasi, Jeffrey E. Stern, Alex Nystrom, Sana Jafri, Missy Laney
Executive producer: Robyn Garnett, Catherine Lynch, Matthew Stern
Format: DCP
Color: Color
Production Country: Pakistan, USA
Production Year: 2024
Duration: 74'
Contact: Visit Films
Suitable for kids over the age of  9.

Amman Abbasi

Amman Abbasi is a Pakistani-American filmmaker and musician whose debut feature film, Davyeon, premiered at Sundance and Berlinale, and received two Film Independent Spirit Award nominations. Abbasi’s compositions include the recent score for The Exorcist: Believer. He has also worked for acclaimed filmmaker David Gordon Green as director’s assistant on Manglehorn and Our Brand is Crisis. His work in documentary has garnered him a Peabody Award and an Emmy.

Filmography

2013 Bad Water (short)
2017 Dayveon
2021 Soar (short)
2024 Yasmeen’s Element