Year 12/28 – Get out of here.

Slowly but surely, 12-year-old Farhad becomes aware of his surroundings. When you walk down the street, all you see are beautiful detached houses, but right in between them is this courtyard. Cracks in the asphalt. An aluminum staircase that sounds like it's about to collapse. Swarms of wasps. Since our favorite neighbors moved out, it's gotten even worse. Alcoholics and drug addicts. The atmosphere is oppressive. I remember very clearly how the police stormed into our neighbor's house, who then jumped out of the back window to escape, but was finally stopped there. One thing was clear to our parents: Get out of here. But quickly. We're not like them. Imagine you have fled your homeland because you are being politically persecuted and now you are living with your children in conditions that no one can live in. But instead of complaining, you are grateful. Mom completes her training as a beautician with a special grade of 1+. Dad becomes physically too unstable to work. Two sons. One daughter. What no one knows yet is that in two years, the life of the middle child will take a turn that no one could ever have expected. The children don't understand any of this yet, but no matter what, we have to get out of here...