Three Thousand Years of Longing is a captivating fantasy-drama film that explores love, desire, and the complexities of human nature. The story follows Alithea Binnie, a London-based professor of narratology, who attends a conference in Istanbul. While exploring the city's bustling bazaar, she purchases a mysterious bottle that, when opened in her hotel room, releases a djinn. This ancient, powerful being offers her three wishes, but Alithea is unsure of what to ask for. Instead, the djinn recounts his long and tragic past, filled with encounters spanning three millennia.
As the djinn shares stories of his doomed loves, including his forbidden romance with the Queen of Sheba and his tragic fate in the palace of a Sultan, Alithea begins to understand the deep emotional toll of his existence. The film blends rich storytelling with themes of freedom, loss, and the weight of history. Notable performances by Tilda Swinton as Alithea and Idris Elba as the djinn bring depth and emotion to this thought-provoking tale, making Three Thousand Years of Longing a unique and memorable cinematic experience.
As the djinn shares stories of his doomed loves, including his forbidden romance with the Queen of Sheba and his tragic fate in the palace of a Sultan, Alithea begins to understand the deep emotional toll of his existence. The film blends rich storytelling with themes of freedom, loss, and the weight of history. Notable performances by Tilda Swinton as Alithea and Idris Elba as the djinn bring depth and emotion to this thought-provoking tale, making Three Thousand Years of Longing a unique and memorable cinematic experience.