Scales

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1:42

Scales

Released Jul 9, 2021

1h 16m

Fantasy

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

91%

Tomatometer

32 Reviews

67%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

SCALES is a visually stunning feminist parable set in a dystopian landscape. It follows the story of a strong-willed young girl, Hayat, whose poor fishing village is governed by a dark tradition: every family must give one daughter to the mermaid-like sea creatures who inhabit the waters, to ensure the village can continue their fishing expeditions. When Hayat's father refuses, the girl becomes a pariah, considered a curse by the village and urged to sacrifice herself -- but Hayat has her owns plans for her destiny.

Critics Consensus

A gorgeous and grim portrait of female empowerment, Scales is an auspicious debut for director Shahad Ameen.

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Tim Cogshell

FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles)

An absolutely breathtaking debut.

Jul 24, 2021

Full Review

Amy Nicholson

FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles)

This is a stunning, stripped-down fable... It doesn't feel like a heavy handed metaphor -- just a beautiful art film.

Jul 24, 2021

Full Review

Beatrice Loayza

New York Times

By the end, the film feels more mysterious than ever, a frustrating conclusion that may very well be the point.

Jul 10, 2021

Full Review

Daisy Leigh-Phippard

Screen Queens

With her visual metaphors and the staggering conclusion to her tale, Ameen not only gives us a stunning Middle Eastern fairy tale, but steps into the realms of timeless myth and society-shaping legend.

Feb 21, 2022

Full Review

Valerie Kalfrin

AWFJ.org

a narrative feature conceived as a feminist parable that also calls to mind a myth or a fairy tale

Aug 3, 2021

Full Review

Filipe Freitas

Always Good Movies

Unhurried feminist parable with a powerful message, dazzling visual appeal (in a stylized black-and-white) and interesting symbolism and surrealism.

Rated: 3.5/5

Jul 18, 2021

Full Review

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Shahad Ameen

Director

Ashraf Barhom

Amer

Fatima Al Taei

Aisha

Haifa Al-Agha

Sumaya

Abdulaziz Shtian

Yaser

Basima Hajjar

Hayat

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Scales: Trailer 1

1:42

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Synopsis

SCALES is a visually stunning feminist parable set in a dystopian landscape. It follows the story of a strong-willed young girl, Hayat, whose poor fishing village is governed by a dark tradition: every family must give one daughter to the mermaid-like sea creatures who inhabit the waters, to ensure the village can continue their fishing expeditions. When Hayat's father refuses, the girl becomes a pariah, considered a curse by the village and urged to sacrifice herself -- but Hayat has her owns plans for her destiny.

Director: Shahad Ameen
Producer: R. Paul Miller, Rula Nasser, Stephen Strachan
Screenwriter: Shahad Ameen
Distributor: Variance Films
Production Co: Film Solutions, The Imaginarium, Imagenation Abu Dhabi FZ
Genre: Fantasy, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: Arabic
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 9, 2021, Limited
Box Office (Gross USA): $3.1K
Runtime: 1h 16m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)