The Sand Castle (IMDB), starring Nadine Labaki (Jasmine), Riman Al Rafeea (Jana) and Zain Al Rafeea (Adam), follows a family of four stranded on a small, isolated island, where they wait for rescue. The island’s only connection to the outside world is a lighthouse. Tension, palpable at the start of The Sand Castle, builds through as it becomes clear that something is not right.
The film reunited Labaki and the Al Rafeeas once again, following their work on Labaki’s acclaimed Capernaum and the experience was one they were overjoyed to recreate, “It was an honor to work with Nadine once again, and we truly missed this experience. We always learn so much from her way of working and her unique approach to acting. She’s an outstanding person—cooperative and incredibly human, and that continually helps me improve my performance,” said Zain.
“Nadine doesn’t just bring out emotions from you, she pushes you to explore deeper aspects of your character. Her support and guidance were crucial for me, and I felt an immense sense of pride working with her again,” said Riman.
The film blurs the lines between psychological thriller and survival drama, leaving the audience questioning whether the family’s growing paranoia is a result of their isolation or if there’s something more sinister at play. Through subtle storytelling, the film speaks to the larger issue of refugees and migrants fleeing war-torn countries. The family, originally from the Middle East, finds themselves in a dire predicament, their fate uncertain as they wait for help that seems to never arrive.
Their mother, Yasmine, played by Labaki, reflects their situation with a sense of betrayal and desperation, encapsulating the emotional core of the narrative The film doesn’t provide all the answers, instead unfolding in an abstract, thought-provoking manner.
The Al Rafeeas, brother and sister, were also related in the film, creating a special bond between the pair that comes out in the final piece, “Acting with my sister was a truly amazing experience, one that felt completely natural—as if we weren’t acting at all but living in the moment. Our real-life relationship as siblings, along with our deep understanding of each other’s personalities, added a great sense of authenticity to the relationship between Adam and Jana on screen. In the scenes where Adam expresses his fear for his sister Jana and his desire to protect her, it felt as if I wasn’t acting at all, but simply embodying the real feelings I experience for her every day,” said Zain.
Adam in particular comes across as a very deep, reflective character, and Zain channeled the moments of worry and a lack of clarity when playing the role, “I’ve had moments in my life where I felt isolated or uncertain, much like Adam did. I tapped into those feelings to better understand the emotional depth and inner conflicts of his character. The only difference between Adam and me is that while he retreats into music to escape his harsh reality, I would escape by observing and following pets or watching birds in the sky,” he said.
“Fear, responsibility, and premature maturity are all things I’ve personally experienced, especially when it comes to being away from home and loved ones due to harsh circumstances we don’t know the end of. My childhood experiences inspired me in playing this role, particularly in the tough situations that require protecting those we love, which made it easier to portray Adam’s determination and sense of responsibility.”
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