An Iranian family living in political exile in Europe and America decides to organise a secret meeting with the rest of the family still living in Iran whom they haven't seen for nearly two decades. Despite all the dangers, the long awaited, tearful reunion takes place after 20 years of separation in Saudi Arabia and proves to be a huge culture clash between the Muslim and western worlds.
The family members living in exile pretend to be Muslim pilgrims in order to be allowed to enter the holy cities of Medina and Mekka. There, in a small hotel room the long awaited, tearful reunion takes place. It proves to be a huge culture clash between the Muslim world and the western societies of Europe and America.
However, in the end, it is the family that counts – and they talk, laugh, discuss, sing, encourage each other, make fun, cook a lot of food, and kiss and hug all the time. Like any family, but caught in a bittersweet story as told by one of the grandchildren.
Diagonale Graz (Best Doc), Visions du Réel Nyon (comp.), INPUT Taiwan, Chicago (Best Doc), Leipzig (Best Doc), Saarbrücken (Best Doc, Special Award)
www.exilefamilymovie.at