Norway, France, Sweden 2018Language:ArabicSubtitles:EnglishDirector:Mats GrorudWriter:Mats Grorud,Trygve Allister Diesen, Ståle Stein BergCinematographer:Stop-Motion-Animation: Pierre-Luc Granjon | 2D-Animation: Hefang WeiEditor:Silje Nordseth, Carsten Meinich, Anders Bergland, Margrete VinnemSound:Christian Holm, Erik BjerknesProducer:Frode Søbstad, Patrice Nezan, Laurent Versini, Annika HellströmProduction Company:Tenk.tv, Les Contes Modernes, Cinenic FilmDistributor:The Party Film Sales80 min, Colour

We find ourselves in the Bourj el Barajneh refugee camp in Beirut, Lebanon, and accompany a family - consisting of several generations - both in their everyday lives and, through narratives and flashbacks, in their experience of fleeing. Despite the deep sadness inherent in this narrative, the film is convincing - due in no small part to the various animation techniques used - with an immeasurable joie de vivre, a subtle sense of humour and the unbridled hope of a self-determined life and a return to one's roots. Strong characters and symbols create a deep emotional connection that lasts a long time.

Director's Biography:Mats Grorud studied animation at Volda University College, Norway. Early on, and through his mother's work, he came into contact with the Middle East, displacement and political work in an NGO. With THE TOWER he presented his award-winning feature film debut in 2018.

Director's Filmography:
2018 THE TOWER
2010 SANTA KLAUS (SHORT)
2008 MIN BESTEMOR BEIJING (SHORT)