Yasmeen’s Element (2024)

Yasmeen’s Element

Amman Abbasi, a Pakistani-American filmmaker who gained prominence with his debut film Dayveon (2017) selected for the Sundance and Berlin International Film Festivals; is now revealing his second feature Yasmeen’s Element in the SXSW 2024 TV & Film Festival Narrative Spotlight. Besides his reputation as a Hollywood film composer- known for his work in the horror genre, Abbasi also created last year’s The Exorcist: Believer -an immediate continuation of William Friedkin’s frightful classic. He worked on Halloween as music consultant (2018) and Halloween Kills (2020). Unlike these scary movies examples though, Yasmeen’s Element is an exuberant story about a girl who wants to learn.

The disputed area of Gilgit Baltistan has been used by him as a setting for this radiant film which takes place entirely within one day against the stunning background of the upper Hunza Valley which sits at very high altitudes where three countries meet India, China and Pakistan. We follow our heroine through various misadventures after she loses her homework because the military comes into class and forcibly removes her teacher before taking him away somewhere. Her journey leads her from one village to another looking for his house until eventually he helps but also hinders her along way. This was shot using only one camera and starred local people behind both sides in front as well making it beautiful landscape centric movie that shows what can be done with storytelling power when you have so little else.

This film could be accused of being boringly serious but it does deliver what Abbasi intended awareness around girls’ education difficulties faced especially by those living in areas affected by conflict or poverty. Rather than opting out going too much into poetic territory with Yasmeen character being joyous light scattered everywhere itself since beginning till end there are no two ways about it here: this seventy six minute long feature is an absolute joy to watch for anyone who loves children’s narratives set within their own world, which is often neglected in cinema worldwide and Yasmeen’s Element sits within that tradition comfortably while also being reminiscent of Majidi‘s work so accessible too.

Cximple Production with Nuqta Films are behind Yasmeen’s Element. The producers include Amman Abbasi, Jeffrey E. Stern (who co-produced Saim Sadiq’s Joyland the first Pakistani film ever selected into official lineup at Cannes Film Festival and shortlisted for Oscar from country), Alex Nystrom and Missy Laney; co-producer being Sana Jafri (also produced by her was Sadik).

Watch Yasmeen’s Element For Free On Gomovies.