Actress Hiam Abbass is discussing the portrayal of war victims in the film “Atonement,” which is screening at the Cannes Film Festival.

The project highlights the intersection of cinema and human rights by focusing on the emotional devastation of conflict. By bringing a journalistic account to the screen, the film aims to provide a visceral representation of systemic injustice, and personal loss.

Directed by Reed Van Dyk, the movie appears in the Directors’ Fortnight section of the festival. The narrative is adapted from a New Yorker article published in 2012 [1]. Abbass said that the source material and script resonated with her during the preparation process.

"I wasn’t familiar with the article at all, but when I read the script, I started crying while reading it," Abbass said.

The actress focused on the authenticity of the suffering depicted in the story. She said that the project is designed to honor the lived experiences of those affected by global conflicts.

"The film is about the pain and injustice experienced by victims of war, and I wanted to honor that truth," Abbass said.

Through her performance, Abbass seeks to convey the enduring psychological impact of war—a theme that mirrors the original reporting from 2012 [1]. The film's presence at Cannes allows for a global conversation regarding the visibility of war victims in contemporary art.

“"I started crying while reading it."”

The adaptation of long-form journalism into cinema serves as a bridge between factual reporting and emotional empathy. By utilizing the prestigious platform of the Cannes Film Festival, 'Atonement' leverages the visibility of the Directors’ Fortnight to transform a decade-old journalistic account into a current cultural dialogue on war and injustice.