Amira, a 17-year-old Palestinian, was conceived with the smuggled sperm of her imprisoned father, Nawar. Although their relationship since birth has been restricted to prison visits, he remains her hero. His absence in her life is overcompensated with love and affection from those surrounding her. But when a failed attempt to conceive another child reveals Nawar’s infertility, Amira’s world turns upside down. (Festival information, Venice, 2021)
Director's statement:The fact that there exists some form of ‘immaculate conception’ in the most sacred and divided place on earth is fascinating yet surreal. Amira is a microcosmic exploration of the division and xenophobia that exists in today’s world. In the process of unravelling our heroine’s identity, the film begs the question, is hatred nature or nurtured?