Released last year to critical acclaim, Turkish actor Onur Saylak’s directorial debut Daha (More) puts the spotlight on the smuggling of refugees from the war-torn Middle East into economically ravaged Greece. The story is an impressive screen adaptation of Hakan Günday’s award-winning thriller of the same name, told from the point of view of a teenager Gaza (Hayat Van Eck) and his domineering human-trafficking father (Ahmet Mumtaz Taylan) – both pictured above.

The family’s Aegean-based transport business has seized the opportunity to help carry refugees attempting to cross from Turkey into Europe, and what they hope will be a better life. Gaza proves to be a more than able apprentice, following in the footsteps of his monster father.

The harrowing despair of those fleeing war and the new perils they face, coupled with Gaza’s own dark past combine to create a gripping coming-of-age story of a boy that has to grow up in a world where there’s no room for innocence.

The film also stars actress Tuba Büyüküstün and Turgut Tuncalp. Its London premiere is being held in partnership with East End Film Festival (EEFF) and film charity Balik Arts.

EEFF 2018 starts on 11 April and runs until 29 April. Founded in 2000, EEFF is one of the UK’s largest film festivals offering a rich and diverse programme of films from local and international movie-makers. Screenings take place in a variety of venues across the boroughs of Hackney and Tower Hamlets. Check online for the full programme.

Screening Details

Title: Daha / More

Language: Turkish and Arabic, with English subtitles

Date: Wednesday 25 April 2018

Start Time: 18.30

Running time: 115 minutes

Venue: Rio Cinema, 107 Kingsland High Street, London E8 2PB

Admission: £11.50 / £9.50 concessions

Tickets and additional information: Buy tickets online from the cinema here.  The film’s classification has been rated 18

Daha | trailer from heretic on Vimeo.