Eternity: A Haunting Portrait of Home and Hope Amidst Syria's Rubble

“Eternity,” known internationally as “Nezouh” or “Limbo,” is a harrowing yet deeply poetic exploration of a Syrian family's struggle amidst the devastating civil war. Directed by Soudade Kaadan, the film anchors itself within a single, crumbling apartment in Damascus, transforming a physical structure into a powerful metaphor for the family's fractured existence and the nation's agony.

The narrative centers on Hala and her teenage daughter, Zeina, who find themselves increasingly trapped.

Their apartment building has suffered a direct hit, leaving a gaping hole in the ceiling that, paradoxically, allows glimpses of the sky and even a surreal vision of the sea. While Hala yearns for safety and Zeina dreams of a life beyond the rubble, her father, Motaz, remains stubbornly rooted, convinced that leaving their home means surrendering to the enemy and losing his dignity.

Motaz embodies a tragic stubbornness, conflating the physical structure of his home with his entire identity and sense of purpose.

His refusal to abandon the building, even as it threatens to collapse around them, creates an intense domestic drama that mirrors the larger conflict outside. He sees himself as a protector, but his actions inadvertently endanger his family further, creating a chasm between his desire for control and his family's yearning for freedom.

Zeina, on the other hand, represents the spirit of youth and hope.

The hole in the ceiling, initially a symbol of destruction, becomes a window to possibilities. She envisions the sea, a powerful motif for escape and liberation, hinting at a world beyond the confines of their war-torn reality. Her burgeoning relationship with the young man helping with repairs further accentuates her desire for a normal life, a future unmarred by the conflict.

Kaadan masterfully weaves elements of magical realism into this stark reality.

The surreal sea appearing through the roof, the playful dances of Zeina with her would-be suitor, and the quiet moments of intimacy amidst the chaos elevate “Eternity” beyond a mere war drama. These fantastical touches serve not to diminish the horror but to amplify the resilience of the human spirit, the desperate need for beauty and hope even in the bleakest circumstances.

The film's visual language is striking.

The claustrophobic interior of the apartment, filled with dust and debris, sharply contrasts with the fleeting, dreamlike visions of the sky and sea. The soundscape is equally potent, with distant explosions and the eerie silence of a besieged city punctuating the intimate family squabbles.

“Eternity” is ultimately a profound meditation on what 'home' truly means when it ceases to be a sanctuary and becomes a cage.

It questions the nature of dignity and survival, portraying the impossible choices families face when caught between loyalty to a collapsing past and the desperate need to embrace an uncertain future. Kaadan's direction is sensitive and unflinching, crafting a film that resonates with deep emotional truth and offers a poignant, albeit bittersweet, testament to the enduring human quest for freedom and a place to truly belong.