Three Thousand Years of Longing is a 2022 fantasy romantic drama film directed and produced by George Miller. Written by Miller and Augusta Gore, it is based on the short story “The Djinn in the Nightingale’s Eye” by A. S. Byatt and stars Idris Elba as a djinn who is unleashed from a bottle by a professor (Tilda Swinton) and tells her stories from his thousands of years of existence.

The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on May 20, 2022, where it received a six-minute standing ovation. It was released in the United States on August 31, 2022.

Plot

Dr. Alithea Binnie (Tilda Swinton) is a scholar of story and mythology who is attending a conference in Istanbul. While walking through the Grand Bazaar, she happens upon a bottle containing a djinn (Idris Elba). The djinn tells Alithea that he has been trapped in the bottle for 3,000 years, and that he will grant her three wishes in exchange for his freedom.

Alithea is skeptical of the djinn’s existence, but she is also intrigued by his stories. She agrees to make him a wish, and he tells her a story about his time in ancient Babylon. Alithea is captivated by the story, and she makes the djinn another wish.

The djinn tells Alithea more stories, and she makes him more wishes. As she gets to know the djinn, she begins to see that he is more than just a magical creature. He is a wise and compassionate being who has seen and experienced much in his long life.

Alithea and the djinn form a bond, and she eventually makes her third and final wish. The djinn grants her wish, and he is released from the bottle. However, he does not leave Alithea’s side. He tells her that he wants to stay with her, and she agrees.

Review

Three Thousand Years of Longing is a beautiful and thought-provoking film. It is a story about love, loss, and the power of stories. The film is beautifully shot, and the performances by Tilda Swinton and Idris Elba are outstanding.

The film is not without its flaws. The pacing is slow at times, and the plot can be a bit predictable. However, these flaws are minor compared to the film’s many strengths.

Overall, Three Thousand Years of Longing is a must-see film for anyone who loves fantasy, romance, or thought-provoking stories.

Recommendation

I highly recommend Three Thousand Years of Longing to anyone who is looking for a beautiful, thought-provoking film. The film is a story about love, loss, and the power of stories. The film is beautifully shot, and the performances by Tilda Swinton and Idris Elba are outstanding.

If you are looking for a film that will make you think, feel, and dream, then Three Thousand Years of Longing is the film for you.