78 min – 2025
Director : Aref HAJ YOUSSEF (Syria) and Antoine CARRÈRE (France)
Production : Minimum Moderne (France)
To draw attention to the situation in Syria, Assem Al Basha, a leading figure in artistic dissent, emerges from his melancholic seclusion to sculpt his latest major work: a portrait of Al-Ma’ari, the great 11th-century poet whose disillusioned verses remain strikingly relevant.
Born in Aleppo, Aref Haj Youssef was imprisoned for photos and videos he took during the Syrian revolution. Living in France since 2015, he continues to work for international news agencies such as Reuters, German television channels, local media outlets, and online platforms. Antoine Carrère participates in various documentary film and live performance projects. ASSEM’S HEAD is his first feature film.