The Settlement

The Settlement

The 23-year-old Hossam begins working in the factory in Alexandria where his father died in an accident a month previously. The job has been offered to the family as compensation for the father’s death, enabling them to continue having an income. Hossam’s 12-year-old brother Maro insists on accompanying Hossam to the factory and threatens to harm himself if he is held back. At their mother’s insistence, Hossam takes the boy to the factory, meaning Maro abandons his schooling and enters the harsh world of child labour. Hossam shoulders the responsibility for providing for his disabled mother and his younger brother. At the factory, the brothers meet other workers, including Mostafa, who bears partial responsibility for their father’s death. The workers praise the boys’ father but remain wary of the brothers, fearing the two are there to take revenge. In the following weeks, Hossam does everything he can to smooth things over and get on good terms with everyone. But then, another tragic accident takes place and the life he has worked so hard to build slips through his fingers.

Source: 75. Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin (Catalogue)