Private Project

Equinox

The documentary narrates the reality of the lives of Mohammad Ghanem and Mohammad Hallaj, two characters who grew up in a Jordanian environment but charted different paths through the complexities of life. The film explores how their divergent personalities were shaped and the social and familial interactions that ultimately led them down different trajectories.

  • Khaled Ahmad Al-Khaldi
    Director
  • Anwaar Abdelrazzaq Al-Shawabkeh
    Producer
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    إسواء
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Genres:
    Observational
  • Runtime:
    22 minutes 53 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    October 25, 2024
  • Country of Origin:
    Jordan
  • Country of Filming:
    Jordan
  • Language:
    Arabic
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Khaled Ahmad Al-Khaldi

Khaled Al-Khaldi, a Syrian filmmaker with a degree in Digital Filmmaking from the SAE Institute in Amman, began his journey as a freelance cinematographer in 2016, combining photography and storytelling. In 2019, he won second place in the World Food Program Award for Best Food Photographer for a Pink Lady.

In 2018, he expanded into film production, contributing to departments such as lighting and set design with several Jordanian production companies, including Floyd Production, Slate Productions, Coldin Track, and AE Films. Notably, he worked in the lighting department for the short film “Tala’vision” directed by Murad Abu Aisha, which reached the Oscars in 2021.

Khaled is currently developing his first feature documentary, which has received recognition from the Cairo International Film Festival and a pre-production prize from the Amman Film Festival.

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Director Statement

My journey from Syria to Amman was filled with questions and contrasts, and "Equinox" was born to capture that emotional landscape. Through raw, spontaneous interviews, I wanted to reflect the complexity of human experience, using a unique cinematic language inspired by Russian cinema, particularly Tarkovsky’s "Stalker". Long shots and steady movements build a strong bond with the characters, while handheld shots convey their chaos and inner turmoil.

The film’s rhythm mirrors the duality of its main characters—fast, chaotic edits for Hallaj’s tension, and calm, measured pacing for Ghunem’s order. Earthy tones and nostalgic sounds deepen this contrast, bringing the camps and cultural shifts to life. Ultimately, "Equinox" is about the contradictions within us all, where yin and yang coexist, shaping a complete, imperfect humanity.