01 Still THE ORPHANAGE-Credit Virginie Surdej

"The Orphanage" ("Parwareshghah")

a film by Shahrbanoo Sadat

In the late 1980’s, 15-year-old Qodrat lives in the streets of Kabul and sells cinema tickets on the black market. He is a big Bollywood fan and he daydreams himself in some of his favorite movie scenes. One day, the Police bring him to the Soviet orphanage. But in Kabul, the political situation is changing. Qodrat and all the children want to defend their home.

Director: Shahrbanoo Sadat

Shahrbanoo Sadat is an Afghan, female writer and director, based in Kabul. She studied documentary in Atelier Varan Kabul, a French workshop. Her first short fiction "Vice Versa One" was selected at Cannes Directors’ Fortnight in 2011. In 2013 she opened her production company, Wolf Pictures, in Kabul. Her first feature film "Wolf and Sheep", won the Art Cinema Award at Cannes Directors’ Fortnight 2016. "The Orphanage", the sequel to "Wolf and Sheep", is her 2nd feature film and premiered also at Cannes Directors’ Fortnight 2019.

Shahrbanoo Sadat_-Behind-The-Scene-02.09.20

Cinematographer: Virginie Surdej SBC

Virginie Surdej is a cinematographer born in Poland and based in Brussels. She signed the photography of several international features, such as "Much Loved" and "Razzia" by Nabil Ayouch, or "Wolf and Sheep" by Shahrbanoo Sadat. Virginie received the Belgian Magritte for Best Cinematography in 2017 for "Insyriated" directed by Philippe Van Leeuw. The three last features she shot have been selected at Cannes Film Festival 2019, "Adam" by Mariam Touzani, "The Orphanage" by Shahrbanoo Sadat and "Nuestras Madres" by Cesar Diaz. "Nuestras Madres" won the Cannes Golden Camera award.

Virginie Surdej photo

Official Trailer "The Orphanage"

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Production Notes

  • Produced by: Adomeit Film
  • In co-production with: La Fabrica Nocturna Cinéma, Samsa Film, Wolf Pictures
  • Shooting locations: Tajikistan, Germany, Denmark
  • Camera: ALEXA Mini
  • Lenses: ZEISS Ultra 16mm T1.3
  • Lighting: SkyPanel, M-Series
  • Camera, lighting & grip equipment provided by: ARRI Rental
  • Sound mixing provided by: ARRI Media
  • World premiere: Cannes Film Festival, at Director’s Fortnight, 2019