Director Sara Ishaq's debut fiction feature, The Station (Al Mahattah), premieres on May 17 at the 65th Cannes Critics’ Week, showcasing a women-only petrol station in war-torn Yemen.
The Film's Unique Setting and Story
In The Station, Layal manages a safe haven for women in Yemen, running a petrol station with strict rules: “No Men. No Weapons. No Politics.” When her brother faces enlistment, she and her estranged sister attempt to alter his fate. Ishaq, known for her documentary The Mulberry House, co-wrote the film with Nadia Eliewat.
Bringing Yemen to Cannes
The cast includes Manal Al-Mulaiki, Abeer Mohammed, Rashad Khaled, and others, with cinematography by Amine Berrada and editing by Romain Namura. Paradise City Sales is handling sales. Ishaq has been training filmmakers in Yemen since 2015 and manages the International Coalition for Filmmakers at Risk in Amsterdam.
From Documentary to Fiction
Ishaq shifted to fiction to explore Yemen's ignored war from a personal perspective. “I wanted to show how much we’re actually laughing, even if out of hysteria,” she explained, emphasizing the human stories behind the conflict. Her previous documentary work, including an Oscar-nominated short, left her seeking a new narrative form.
Real Stories in a Fictional World
The film draws on real anecdotes from Yemeni women, portraying resilience amidst chaos. Ishaq's casting process involved a global search within the Yemeni diaspora, leading to workshops in Egypt to prepare the actors, most of whom are non-professionals.
Source: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/2026-cannes-critics-week-the-station-yemen-film-interview-1236591178/
