Heat

Synopsis

In the Persian Gulf, one of the hottest regions in the world, where extreme heat exposes deep social inequalities, the air is stifling. While the wealthy retreat to air-conditioned rooms, migrant workers continue to labor under the sun during long shifts. The film follows four people struggling to survive in this environment: Sophy, who works at an ice bar in Dubai; Francis, who works 12-hour shifts as a courier; Carina, who protects stray cats; and meteorologist Essa Ramadan. The visuals, which leave the viewer stunned, evoke the dizziness and confusion caused by heatstroke, making the heat physically tangible. As extreme heat reshapes work and the daily struggle for survival, these individuals’ lives point to a reality that could soon become a reality for all of us.

Director Biography

Jacqueline Zünd

Swiss director of both documentary and fiction films whose works have been celebrated for their originality and narrative depth at leading international festivals, including Berlin, Cannes, and Locarno. She has been an active voice in documentary filmmaking, exploring contemporary society and the human interior with sensitivity. In 2025, Zünd made her fiction debut, which premiered at the Locarno Film Festival in the Cineasti del Presente competition. The film won the award for Best Performance.

Credits

Cinematography / Sinematografi

Nikolai von Graevenitz

Editing / Kurgu

Gion-Reto Killias

Music / Müzik

Marcel Vaid

Sound / Ses

Masaki Hatsui

Production / Yapım

Louis Mataré