Yemeni-Scottish director Sara Ishaq showcases the resilience of women, grappling with the seemingly endless civil war happening in her home country, in the riveting drama THE STATION. She incorporates fictional elements to separate the story from political context and make it more universal.
Yemen, a once-thriving country, has been ravaged by war. Boys have to join the army at the age of 12. There are posters everywhere encouraging them to become heroes. Layal runs a women-only gas station and provides a safe haven for its customers. She needs to pay the authorities an exemption fee so that his brother Laith won’t have to go to war. She does not have the money and she is running out of time.
It is hard to believe that lead actress Manal Al-Maliki has no prior acting experience. The performances of the mostly non-professional cast are all convincing, but Al-Maliki has the charisma and the range of a seasoned actress.
Ishaq seamlessly intertwines drama and suspense to deliver a compelling anti-war film from a female perspective. Destruction and cruelty are everywhere, yet hope is not lost.
