‘The Station’ Review: A Long-Gestating, Female-Centered Project Set in Yemen That’s Well Worth the Wait
Sara Ishaq's fiction debut 'The Station' is set in a women-only gas station in Yemen during the civil war, serving as a sanctuary from conflict and male domination. The film centers on sisters who disagree over protecting their young brother from military conscription, highlighting tensions amid female solidarity. Featuring a largely non-professional cast, the film balances warmth and resilience against a backdrop of war and societal constraints.
- ▪'The Station' is Sara Ishaq's first fiction feature, following her acclaimed 2013 documentary 'The Mulberry House'.
- ▪The story unfolds in a women-only gas station that provides a safe space away from Yemen's civil war and patriarchal norms.
- ▪The film premiered in Cannes Critics' Week and features a cast mostly composed of non-professional actors.
- ▪A central conflict involves two sisters clashing over how to protect their 12-year-old brother from being conscripted into the war.
- ▪The setting emphasizes female autonomy, with the station's rule of 'no men, no weapons, no politics' fostering a rare space of freedom.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Home Film Reviews May 17, 2026 4:22am PT ‘The Station’ Review: A Long-Gestating, Female-Centered Project Set in Yemen That’s Well Worth the Wait A women-only haven in Yemen’s civil war is the backdrop to a story of sisters clashing over how to protect their young brother from conscription in this Cannes Critics' Week entry, beautifully played by a largely non-professional cast. By Jay Weissberg Plus Icon Jay Weissberg Latest ‘Viva’ Review: A Breast Cancer Survivor Runs From a Potential Recurrence by Embracing Life 3 days ago ‘The Alleys’ Review: Murky Goings on Among Lowlifes in Amman’s Darkened Streets 5 years ago ‘Cop Secret’ Review: A Derivative Action Movie Parody Set in Iceland for a Change 5 years ago See All Courtesy of Screen Project, Georges Films Sara Ishaq’s highly anticipated…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Variety.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from Variety
