The Fifth Castle

At the early fifties in Syria, a man meets Salama, Mustafa, Hussein, and Youssef, all of whom oppose the dictatorial authority, when he is thrown into a political prison due to a misunderstanding, after which he finds himself in a place other than what he imagined, living in a difficult intellectual struggle.

Directed by Bilal Al Sabouni, The Fifth Castle leans on a strong ensemble — Abd Elfatah Almozyen, Osama Khalky, Asaad Fedda — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about screen titles of 1979.