Fadia
A film by Shady Srour
In an unexpected series of events, Fadia, a college student, becomes the center of unwanted attention when a video featuring her at a party spreads on the internet. This leads to a grim outcome as her own village calls for her harsh punishment, all in the name of family honor. This shocking decision forces Fadia's three brothers into a moral quandary as they grapple with feelings of guilt and power after committing the horrifying act of burying their sister alive.
From the Director:
The script for Fadia is a collaboration between me and Laurel Hunter (Something Better, The Highway Home). The story was brought to life by cinematographer Barry Markowitz (Sling Blade, Crazy Heart, All the Pretty Horses).
Fadia is a humanitarian film, intended to spotlight the psychology and attitudes behind atrocious crimes against women, particularly honor killings which still take place in various cultures across the globe. The idea sprang from personally knowing someone whose family was affected by one such act of violence. This caused me to reflect on my own experience as a young man who grew up in a culture where a young man’s worth is often measured by his attitude towards women. Hunter, having lost a female family member to a horrific murder, was fueled not only by the personal tragedy, but also her outrage at the widespread nature of violence against women around the world.
As an Arab/Palestinian filmmaker born and raised in Nazareth, it was a natural choice for me to set the drama on my own turf and assemble a cast and crew that showcases the often overlooked but remarkable talent that resides within my own community. Fadia features stellar performances by Arab and Palestinian actors cast from across the region.
As recently as March 18, 2025, honor killings are reported - a horrible practice which is very much alive. My hope for this film is to raise awareness around this horrible violence, and provide hope to women who fear for their lives, often at the hands of their own communities and families.
Fadia Yara Jarrar
Shareef Alaa Daka
Fadi Jalal Masarwe
Waleed Shadi Marai
Siham Khawla Dibsi
Saleem Mahmoud Sobuh
Majida Rebecca Talhami
Tarek Shady Srour
Eiman Lamar Srour
Salma Sallie Srour
Abdalah Azmi Hamed
Abu Adel Mahmoud Awad
Saleh Mahmoud Morra
Jamal Adnan Tarabshi
Alona Yasmeen Natou
Nour Eiman Hawari
Laurel Hunter - Writer
Laurel has an extensive writing background including a degree in Creative Writing/Playwriting from San Francisco State University where she won multiple awards for her work. She has written for stage and film – her two feature films, Something Better and The Highway Home, have made their way around the film festival circuit and garnered multiple awards and she has authored multiple stage plays, some also produced and award winning. In addition, she has published works of fiction and non-fiction. She has co-authored multiple projects with Shady Srour including a tv series/sitcom The Laundry Room for which she and Srour are currently seeking a producer. Hunter currently resides on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State, about two hours north of Seattle in the USA.
Shady Srour - Founder, Producer, Writer, Director, Actor
Shady is an Arab/Palestinian actor, screenwriter, director and producer of cinema, theatre and television projects, and a Cinema Studies teacher at the Open University in Tel Aviv. He has B.A degree in theatre from Tel-Aviv University, and a M.F.A in filmmaking from the San Francisco Academy of Art. He has produced, directed, written and acted in dozens of films and theatre projects. Most recently, his award-winning feature film, Holy Air, debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival and was subsequently picked up by Samuel Goldwyn Films for U.S. release. Srour currently resides in Nazareth, Israel.
Barry Markowitz - Cinematographer, Director of Photography
Barry’s credits could take up a page. He’s worked with big name actors and directors in the industry like Jeff Bridges, Billy Bob Thornton, Robert Duvall, Nicholas Cage, James Toback, Rob Reiner and many more, whose projects have received great critical acclaim and even some academy awards. His career spans decades with notable films such as Crazy Heart, Sling Blade, Atonement, and many others, and shows no signs of slowing anytime soon. Markowitz currently resides in Tel-Aviv, Israel.