A wondrous little charmer from Pakistan, Amman Abbasi’s second feature Yasmeen’s Element is a spirited journey into women’s education set in the stunning high Hunza Valley.
Having captured attention with his debut film, Dayveon (2017), which was selected for both Sundance and Berlin International Film Festival, Pakistani-American filmmaker Amman Abbasi is now unveiling his second feature, Yasmeen’s Element, in the Narrative Spotlight section of the SXSW 2024 TV & Film Festival. Notably recognized as a film composer for Hollywood productions, particularly in the horror genre, Abbasi composed the score for last year’s The Exorcist: Believer, a direct sequel to William Friedkin’s horror classic. He also served as a music consultant for Halloween (2018) and Halloween Kills (2020). In contrast to his work in horror, Yasmeen’s Element is a radiant film centered around a young girl’s thirst for education.
Set in his homeland, against the breathtaking backdrop of the high Hunza Valley in the disputed territory of Gilgit-Baltistan, where Pakistan, India, and China lay overlapping claims, Yasmeen’s Element takes us on a day filled with adventures. Our leading character loses her homework after her Professor is abruptly pulled out of the classroom by an unidentified military force. Determined to find her Professor’s house, Yasmeen embarks on an unexpected journey through neighboring towns and villages, where she receives both help and hindrance from those she encounters. Filmed with just one camera and featuring a cast and crew composed of locals, the film’s power lies in Abbasi’s ability to tell a deeply affecting story with minimalism, blending seamlessly with the beauty of the landscape that fills the screen with warmth and charm.
While the film may lean towards dramatic monotony, it is undeniably effective in delivering Abbasi’s message about the struggles girls face in accessing education. Rather than opting for poetic abstraction, Abbasi places the joys and aspirations of the titular character front and center, making this 76-minute drama a delightful and enchanting addition to the exploration of children’s lives and worlds, reminiscent of Majidi‘s work, and accessible to all audiences.
Yasmeen’s Element is produced by Cximple Production in association with Nuqta Films. The producers include Amman Abbasi, Jeffrey E. Stern, Alex Nystrom, Missy Laney, and Sana Jafri. The latter co-produced Saim Sadiq’s Joyland, the first Pakistani film to be selected for the Cannes Film Festival’s official lineup and the first film from the country to be shortlisted for the Oscars.
