Rabia will wissen, warum ihre Schule plötzlich schließt. Mutig macht sie sich auf die Suche nach der Wahrheit, aber stößt nur auf Gerüchte und Schweigen. Je weiter sie fragt, desto deutlicher wird ein Geflecht aus Korruption und Machtmissbrauch im Dorf sichtbar, das weit über die Schule hinausreicht

"This gently paced, visually evocative fable captures a child's termined pursuit of answers in a community weighed down by fear, misinformation, and corruption. Drawing upon a tradition of introspective coming-of-age journey films, GHOST SCHOOL finds poignancy in the quiet moments and the expansive, sun-drenched landscape. Filmmaker Seemab Gul's experience in both documentary and narrative filmmaking, particularly her focus on the current political landscape, informs the film's insightful critiques of feudal power, gender injustice, and the state’s neglect of rural education. These heavy themes are skilfully balanced and humanized through young Rabia's clear-eyed perspective and her refusal to accept silence and superstition in place of truth." Toronto International Film Festival 2025

“Inspiriert von Abbas Kiarostamis "Wo ist das Haus meines Freundes?" wird die beharrliche Suche einer jungen Protagonistin zum Ausgangspunkt einer Erkundung gesellschaftlicher Verhältnisse. Aus einer scheinbar einfachen Frage entwickelt sich eine Reise durch ein Labyrinth aus Aberglauben, Autorität und Korruption. Die Perspektive eines Kindes wird dabei zum präzisen Instrument, um die Widersprüche der Gemeinschaft sichtbar zu machen. Basierend auf dem realen Phänomen der 'Geisterschulen' in Pakistan verbindet der Film sozialrealistische Beobachtung mit magisch-realistischen Momenten." JIP Filmverleih

"When 10-year-old Rabia discovers her school has abruptly closed, she sets out to uncover the truth behind the eerie rumours swirling through her rural Pakistani village. Whispers that her teacher has been possessed by a jinn – a supernatural spirit from Islamic folklore – quickly take hold, but the adults in her life offer only evasive responses.
Rabia's mother, struggling to parent a precocious child alone, does not have the energy to explore other options or ask many questions. As Rabia's search deepens, she must navigate a tangle of local superstition, bureaucratic indifference, and maybe even magical forces that seem to echo the uncertainty around her.
This gently paced, visually evocative fable captures a child's determined pursuit of answers in a community weighed down by fear, misinformation, and corruption. Drawing upon a tradition of introspective coming-of-age journey films, GHOST SCHOOL finds poignancy in the quiet moments — Rabia's solitary walks, hushed conversations — and the expansive, sun-drenched landscape as she encounters people from all classes and backgrounds on her quest.
Filmmaker Seemab Gul's experience in both documentary and narrative filmmaking, particularly her focus on the current political landscape, informs the film's insightful critiques of feudal power, gender injustice, and the state's neglect of rural education. These heavy themes are skilfully balanced and humanized through young Rabia's clear-eyed perspective and her refusal to accept silence and superstition in place of truth." Robyn Citizen, Toronto International Film Festival 2025