‘The Strangers’ Case’ Clip: Watch Omar Sy Play A Smuggler Who Helps Syrian Refugees Across The Aegean Sea In Special Gala Title – Berlin Film Festival

EXCLUSIVE: Beloved French actor Omar Sy stars in the debut feature from longtime producer Brandt Andersen in The Strangers’ Case, a searing and international ensemble that is world premiering at the Berlin Film Festival on Friday. Watch an exclusive clip above.

Sy stars along with Yasmin Al Massri in the film, which is an extension of Andersen’s Oscar shortlisted 2020 short Refugee also starring Sy and Al Massri. It’s playing as a Berlinale Special Gala title later this week.

The film follows the chain reaction of events involving five different families in four different countries after tragedy strikes a Syrian family in Aleppo: a doctor (Al Massri) and her daughter, who come home following a chaotic shift at an Aleppo hospital; a soldier who witnesses heinous crimes towards men, women and children in the service of the Syrian regime; a smuggler in Turkey (Sy) who tries desperately to make ends meet for his young son while also trying to save enough money to afford his own escape; a poet from a Turkish refugee camp who barters for space on an overcrowded boat with his young family; and a Greek coast guard captain who spends his days and nights rescuing sinking lifeboats full of migrants. 

Mister Smith is repping international rights to the film with WME handling U.S. sales. 

“I wrote and directed The Strangers’ Case driven by a profound admiration for the Syrian people, whom I encountered during the refugee exodus sparked by the Arab Spring and ensuing Syrian Civil War,” said Andersen. “Each character in the film draws inspiration from individuals I encountered in my travels through Turkey, Greece, Italy, Jordan and Syria. As filmmakers, the origins of our inspiration aren’t always within our control. For me, this journey begain in 2012, ultimately lending me to learn Arabic and directing a short film, paving the way for the creation of this film.”