The hallucinatory dystopian debut, Blind Sun, from Lebanese female director Joyce A. Nashawati is an eye-opening film focusing on themes such as persecution, racism, and madness. Blind Sun is set in Greece and follows a solitary immigrant, Ashraf, who is hired to look after a wealthy family’s Villa in the middle of nowhere. In the middle of an intense heat wave and water scarcity, Ashraf’s world will begin to unravel.

Blind Sun uses the conflicts in Greece to bring terror and disillusion to Ashraf’s character. Every turn he is faced with prejudice and persecution as an immigrant worker.  The locals want nothing to do with him and law enforcers want him to suffer. He is a solitary man trying to live but solitary can be the downfall of any man. There is nothing more terrifying than a society hellbent on tearing someone down.

Ashraf’s interactions are limited. He tries not to call attention to himself and avoids trouble at all cost. He understands where he falls in the societal hierarchy. Racism and prejudice are heavily embedded in Ashraf’s unraveling. After an altercation with an aggressive officer that leaves him without a working permit, he descends deeper into his solidarity. He is no one. He is alone. He is not wanted but still needed. He is the undesired. This in itself is a horrific mirror of a dystopian world that hits too close to home and that is terrifying.

The madness took the shape of blindness, dizziness, and hallucinations. It was not created by drugs, poison, or torture but many subtle things, which is beautiful.  The society, suffocating sun, and self-doubt drove him to the madness. They were all constant and undying. He found that the sun can be as terrifying as the darkness that befalls him. He tried to escape but found that he could not. The only way to escape was to cleanse himself of it all.

Blind Sun is a blindingly great film. There are no monsters. This is no gore. It is a terrifying reflection of our world.

This film is part of “A Women’s Touch” on Shudder focusing on female horror directors. I highly recommend this film and you can watch it on Shudder.