Rotten Tomatoes

Movies / TV

    Celebrity

      No Results Found

       View All       Movies Tv shows Shop News Showtimes

      Faya Dayi

      Released Sep 3, 2021 2h 0m Documentary List
      97% 35 Reviews Tomatometer Ethiopian legend has it that khat, a stimulant leaf, was found by Sufi Imams in search of eternity. Inspired by this myth, Faya Dayi is a spiritual journey into the highlands of Harar immersed in the rituals of khat, a leaf that Sufi Muslims chewed for religious meditations -- and Ethiopia's most lucrative cash crop today. Through the prism of the khat trade, Faya Dayi weaves a tapestry of intimate stories of people caught between violent government repression, khat-induced fantasies and treacherous journeys beyond their borders, and offers a window into the dreams of the youth who long for a better life. Read More Read Less
      Faya Dayi

      What to Know

      Critics Consensus

      Faya Dayi's dreamlike feel and sensory approach to its subject combine to create a documentary that doubles as a spiritual experience.

      Read Critics Reviews

      Critics Reviews

      View All (35) Critics Reviews
      Cheyenne Bunsie Little White Lies Gorgeously made with stories and images that will endure long after viewing. Rated: 4/5 Jun 23, 2022 Full Review Danny Leigh Financial Times With equal parts patience and verve, Mexican-Ethiopian director Jessica Beshir traces through the mimetic haze of her film a dark web of political history. Rated: 4/5 Jun 23, 2022 Full Review Peter Bradshaw Guardian There are some marvellous images and moods in this misty, impressionistic study. Rated: 3/5 Jun 20, 2022 Full Review Farah Cheded A Good Movie To Watch Full of textures and images that evoke all of the senses, this is virtually a 5D movie, a hypnotic out-of-body experience that floats an astonishing expanse of ideas into your head — no talky explanations needed. Oct 28, 2023 Full Review Brian Susbielles InSession Film It’s such a visually rich movie that Beshir can take viewers into a trance and separate us from the reality that this is not a work of fiction. Feb 15, 2023 Full Review Prahlad Srihari News9 Live (India) Through the lens of khat harvesting, Beshir serves a portal into the plains of Harar where the plant is both a boon and a bane. https://www.news9live.com/entertainment/faya-dayi-film-review-188401 Aug 29, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

      View All (0) audience reviews
      alisha m This movie is one of those movies that people think they're supposed to like because it's dark and monochromatic and pensive. It's so slow and so dreary that you can't develop any connection to the place or it's people. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review bob w Yes, some of the cinematography is striking and creative, but it's a glacially paced bore, with story lines that are impossible to follow. If you enjoy spending two hours eating canned spinach you'll enjoy this. We couldn't wait for this to end. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 09/23/21 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

      More Like This

      View All Best Movies to Stream at Home
      100% % Two Gods 100% 80% Periodical 93% % Carpet Cowboys TRAILER for Carpet Cowboys 71% % The Bengali 100% % Heaven Rain Flows Sweetly Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

      Photos

      View All Faya Dayi photos

      Faya Dayi

      View more photos

      Movie Info

      Synopsis Ethiopian legend has it that khat, a stimulant leaf, was found by Sufi Imams in search of eternity. Inspired by this myth, Faya Dayi is a spiritual journey into the highlands of Harar immersed in the rituals of khat, a leaf that Sufi Muslims chewed for religious meditations -- and Ethiopia's most lucrative cash crop today. Through the prism of the khat trade, Faya Dayi weaves a tapestry of intimate stories of people caught between violent government repression, khat-induced fantasies and treacherous journeys beyond their borders, and offers a window into the dreams of the youth who long for a better life.
      Director
      Jessica Beshir
      Producer
      Jessica Beshir, Daniel Patrick Carbone
      Screenwriter
      Jessica Beshir
      Distributor
      Janus Films
      Genre
      Documentary
      Original Language
      Amharic
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Sep 3, 2021, Limited
      Runtime
      2h 0m