FILM

Jamal follows the life of a camel, most of which plays out in a dreary, small room — a sesame mill. Bound and blindfolded, the camel is condemned to turn in endless circles inside the mill, its sense of time distorted. Shaddad creates a powerful meditation on labor, exploitation, and economic progress and uses the camel’s plight as a metaphor for the struggles of workers enduring harsh conditions and treatment. With its haunting sound design and minimalist approach, Jamal stands as one of Shaddad’s most affecting works, exploring themes of exploitation that run throughout his filmography.