Film

Shako Mako

2019 · 17m · Drama

IMDb

5.6

“Farah,” a bread seller, walks the streets of a Middle Eastern town, while an American military vehicle, surrounded by soldiers, slowly passes by. A moment’s silence. Then, a devastating explosion. Civilians are bloodied, wounded. The horrors of war. “Farah” looks around aghast and wailing. But nothing here is quite what it seems. In fact, “Farah” is a character played by an aspiring actress called Laila. And this isn’t Iraq, but a replica village erected on the Fort Irwin army base in California, used to train American troops before being sent abroad. Laila believes her acting talents are being wasted away in this arid simulation, where female role-players are limited to mute, background roles. She takes things much more seriously. Laila plots her way out.

Alia Shawkat

Laila

Cristian Valle

Rafa

Sara Boutine

Noor

Bruno Amato

Sergeant

Haithem Badrani

Butcher

Diana Valencia

Anissa Borrego

Sandra Santiago

• Hailey Benton GatesDirector · Writer
• Lana KimProducer
• Max BrunProducer
• Jett SteigerProducer
• Alicia Van CouveringExecutive Producer
• Adam Newport-BerraDirector of Photography
• Christopher BearOriginal Music Composer
• Sophie CorraEditor
• Cindy EstadaCasting
• Lyle DohlCasting

Release date

January 25, 2019

Status

Released

Original language

English

Runtime

17m

Genres

Drama