The Interpreter Is Now On YouTube!
Belma works as a Turkish interpreter for the NHS, assisting patients who are not proficient in English. While waiting for her next interpretation session, she listens to a voice message from her partner, whom she recently asked to leave. He agrees to vacate the premises. Following this, she attends a psychiatric evaluation for Kamelya, a patient with schizophrenia, alongside psychiatrist Dr. Aashvi. Kamelya harbors intense feelings for another patient, whom she mistakenly believes to be her husband. Her passion is so overwhelming that she grows jealous of Dr. Aashvi, accusing her of trying to take him away.
When Kamelya loses control, Dr. Aashvi quickly exits, leaving Belma alone with her. In the ensuing chaos, nurses restrain Kamelya, and Belma experiences a panic attack. Realizing she is late for her next appointment, she rushes off. Her next assignment involves interpreting for Ahmet and his terminally ill wife, Melahat. Dr. Kofi needs to inform Ahmet that Melahat has little time left, and Belma is tasked with translating this difficult news. Just before she can convey it, Melahat unexpectedly awakens and speaks for the first time in ages. After Belma delivers the news, Ahmet wishes to speak with Dr. Kofi, but the overworked physician, with five other palliative care patients, hurriedly departs. Ahmet holds his beloved wife’s hands, allowing Belma to witness the essence of true love once more. After leaving the hospital, she sends a voice note to her partner, pleading with him not to leave.
From the DIrector’s PerspectIve
The Interpreter, directed by Andrea M. Catinella, focuses on the language barrier and health. Based on a true story, the film is inspired by Writer/Producer Yasmine’s personal experiences in some mental health hospitals.
Catinella, an Italian director living in London, dedicated the film to his mother who suffered from schizophrenia and lost her life. The director also frequently expresses his happiness to be involved in a bilingual production. Catinella, who brings the different colours of life to the screen in green tones in the first part and blue tones in the second part, has also toned the stories of his nurse friends who share their experiences in mental health centres with him. With Catinella’s narration, The Interpreter centres on the experiences of Belma, a woman whose love life is collapsing and who has a difficult work shift during which she realises the meaning of true love.
CredIt
Director: Andrea M. Catinella
Writer / Producer: Yasmine Alice
Belma: Yasmine Alice
Kamelya: Eda Çatalçam
Melahat: Nilgün Dirençay
Ahmet: Oscar Reed
Dr. Aashvi: Ruchika Jain
Lauren: Elizabeth Hammond
Theo: Dan Robins
Dr. Kofi: Mensah Bediako
Nurse Jackie: Katerina Dimakopoulou
Nurse Damien: Trésor Cédric
ScreEnIngs / Awards
London Independent Film Festival
United Kingdom
April 18, 2024
London
WINNER Best Short Film
Sunscreen Film FestivalSt Petersburg,
Florida
United States
April 27, 2024
North American Premiere
Nominee for Best International Short Film
Romford Film Festival
London
United Kingdom
May 28, 2024
Nominee for Best Supporting Actor for Oscar Reed
Brighton Rocks (BIFA)
Brighton
United Kingdom
June 29, 2024
Official Selection
Tees Valley International Film Festival
Tees
United Kingdom
November 13, 2024
Highly Commended
Swindon Independent Film Festival
Swindon
United Kingdom
October 11, 2024
Nominee for Best Short Film
City of Angels Women’s Film Festival
Los Angeles
United States
October 10, 2024
Official Selection
Studio City International Film Festival
Los Angeles
United States
August 30, 2024
Official Selection
Antakya International Film Festival
Hatay
Turkey
November 1, 2024
Turkey
Finalist
Female Voices Rock
New York
United States
May 4, 2025
Official Selection
