The Burdened 2023

Set in 2019, this film tells the true story of a young Yemeni middle‑class couple, Israa and Ahmed, who raise their three children in Aden. Israa discovers she is pregnant again, a shock after the family had already lost their jobs in the wake of the 2015 civil war, an event that triggered a crippling economic crisis across Yemen. Unable to afford another child, the couple decides to pursue an abortion.

In a society where abortion is culturally and religiously condemned, they face significant hurdles in obtaining help. Access to medical care is hampered by doctors who refuse to assist, and Israa’s anemia makes some traditional methods unsuitable. The weight of stigma and fear presses tightly as they navigate these obstacles.

The couple turns to Israa’s close friend, Dr. Mona, who firmly refuses to help and warns Israa against terminating the pregnancy. With doctors increasingly unreachable, Ahmed tracks down traditional midwifery options that could perform the procedure at home. When Mona learns of this, she intervenes to halt the plan at a crucial moment, escalating the tension between them.

In a pivotal turn, Mona is persuaded to reconsider and ultimately decides to perform the procedure herself after witnessing Israa’s desperation. The act leaves Mona consumed by regret, and she withdraws from Israa’s attempts to contact her. Israa, in turn, experiences fear and sorrow over the strain in her relationship with Mona, while Ahmed reassures her about the importance of continuing life for the sake of their children.

The film closes on a new day in Aden, as the family heads to their children’s school. On their faces is a complex mix of temporary relief and lingering fear about what the future may hold, underscoring the emotional and moral weight of the choices they have faced.