Castle of Dreams (2019 film)

Castle of Dreams, released in 2019, is a Syrian drama film directed by Ameer Fakher Eldin. The film is a multilingual production, featuring dialogue in Arabic, German, and English. It tells the story of a Syrian architect named Tareq, living in Berlin, who travels back to his family in Lebanon after receiving news of his father's passing. He inherits the family's ancestral home, a derelict castle.

The film explores themes of family, loss, displacement, cultural identity, and the burden of history. Tareq's return forces him to confront not only the grief of losing his father, but also the complex relationships within his family and the legacy of the past that the castle represents. He grapples with the decision of what to do with the castle, a symbol of a fading heritage, and how to reconcile his life in Europe with his connection to his homeland. Castle of Dreams offers a poignant reflection on the challenges faced by individuals navigating personal and collective trauma in the aftermath of conflict and displacement. The film received critical acclaim for its sensitive portrayal of its themes and its artistic cinematography.