A Drowning Man Poster

A Drowning Man 2017

★ 4.68 votes15 min📅 2017-05-17

Mahdi Fleifel's striking short drama A Drowning Man (2017) plunges viewers into the uneasy solitude of a young exile navigating an unfamiliar urban landscape.

Director: Mahdi Fleifel

Cast

Atef Alshafei
The Kid
Jalal Qaniry
Bis
Thymios Koukios
Greek Man
Rebih El-Saleous
Fatah
Mounir Alkhateeb
Abu Love
Irene Aggelopoulou
Irene Aggelopoulou
Shop Assistant
Giorgos Chaviaros
Man in Shop

Frequently Asked Questions

What is A Drowning Man (2017) about?

The film follows The Kid, an exile wandering an unfamiliar city, where each day demands hard choices just to endure. Alone and exposed, he confronts predators and compromises, his isolation stretching into an unending cycle of survival. It's a raw, compact story about displacement and resilience.

Who directed A Drowning Man?

Mahdi Fleifel directed A Drowning Man (2017), bringing a keen eye for tension and minimalist storytelling to this short drama.

Who stars in A Drowning Man?

Atef Alshafei leads the cast as The Kid, joined by Jalal Qaniry, Rebih El-Saleous, and Mounir Alkhateeb in key roles.

Is A Drowning Man (2017) worth watching?

Despite its brevity, A Drowning Man packs a powerful punch, offering a gripping look at exile and survival. Its unflinching atmosphere and strong performances make it a standout short film for drama enthusiasts. While unrated, its thematic depth and visual storytelling are compelling enough to warrant attention.

How long is A Drowning Man?

A Drowning Man (2017) runs for 15 minutes.

🎥 Trailer

About A Drowning Man (2017) — A Stark 15-Minute Drama of Exile and Survival

Mahdi Fleifel's striking short drama A Drowning Man (2017) plunges viewers into the uneasy solitude of a young exile navigating an unfamiliar urban landscape. Shot in just 15 minutes, the film follows The Kid as he drifts through a city where survival hinges on small, morally complex compromises. Fleifel crafts an atmosphere thick with tension, weaving isolation and predation into a story that feels both urgent and quietly devastating. The minimalist narrative lingers on the quiet resilience and hard choices faced by those adrift far from home.

Starring Atef Alshafei as The Kid, the ensemble—including Jalal Qaniry and Rebih El-Saleous—grounds the film in raw, understated performances that amplify its emotional weight. With its stark visuals and unflinching focus on displacement, A Drowning Man (2017) transcends its short runtime to deliver a haunting meditation on exile, vulnerability, and the fragile line between survival and surrender.