Faya Dayi (2021) + Intro - Whose Land? Whose Lens?
Running time: 120 mins
Genre:
Release Date: 09/12/2026
The Ethiopian documentary by Jessica Beshir offers a spiritual and socio-economic portrait of
the Harar region, focusing on the cultivation, trade, and cultural rituals of khat - a stimulant leaf
central to local life. It follows Sufi Muslims seeking enlightenment while navigating government
restrictions, the allure of better futures, and the dangers of dependency on khat.
This film will be introduced by Nadia Denton - a Film Curator, Social Impact Producer and
Author. She specialises in African cinema, art and culture, and particularly in widening access to
and understanding of African and diaspora film.
This screening is curated by Meliza George as part of ‘Whose Land? Whose Lens?’ a season of
works from the global south discussing the protection of land and therefore peoples through the
lens of slow cinema. The season is presented with the National Film and Television’s Film
Studies, Curation and Programming MA.
