Egyptian thriller ‘The Settlement' set for screening in Italy

Broadcast Pro

22-07-2025

The social thriller is Mohamed Rashad's first narrative feature, following his 2016 documentary 'Little Eagles'.
Egyptian filmmaker Mohamed Rashad's The Settlement will screen at the Middle East Now in Florence on July 23, following its international premiere at the Berlinale. This marks the film's third screening in Italy, underscoring its rising recognition and critical acclaim, according to MAD Films.
Directed, written and produced by Rashad, The Settlement is an exploration of class, labour and survival. The film follows the story of two brothers, Hossam and Maro, who are forced to take jobs at a factory after their father dies in a workplace accident. The job is offered as compensation for their loss, but the situation is complicated by the presence of the man responsible for their father's death, who continues to work at the same facility. As Hossam struggles to adapt to the harsh factory environment and gain the trust of his father's former colleagues, Maro, only 12 years old, sacrifices his education to join his brother on the factory floor, introducing the theme of child labor into the narrative.
Praised for its emotional depth and authenticity, the film has drawn attention for the performances of non-professional actors Adham Shoukry and Ziad Islam, who portray the two brothers. Their bond anchors the film's examination of loss, resilience and the complex dynamics of workplace power.
The Settlement is produced by Hala Lotfy of Hassala Films in Cairo, with co-production support from partners in France, Germany, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The film's upcoming screening is hosted by Middle East Now, a cultural festival organised by the Florence-based non-profit MAP OF CREATION. The association focuses on cinema and documentary filmmaking as a means of exploring contemporary social, political, and cultural issues, particularly in the Middle East, and aims to foster dialogue and integration through visual storytelling.
During its development, The Settlement garnered support from numerous international funding bodies, including the Berlinale World Cinema Fund, IFFR's Hubert Bals Fund Script and Development Initiative, Hubert Bals Plus Co-Production Minority Support, Doha Film Institute, Arab Fund for Arts and Culture, Red Sea Development Fund, Fonds Image De La Francophonie, and El Gouna Film Festival's CineGouna Platform.
The film's worldwide sales are managed by MAD World, with MAD Distribution handling its release in the Arab world.