Latest news with #FilmClinic
Broadcast Pro
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
Egyptian film ‘Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo' Trailer nominated for Golden Trailer Awards
The film was inspired by a 2015 incident in Egypt where a viral video of a dog's brutal killing led to four men being jailed. The trailer for Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo, the debut feature film by Egyptian director Khaled Mansour, has earned a nomination for Best Foreign Teaser at the Golden Trailer Awards — marking the first time an Egyptian trailer has been recognised in this category. Produced by Mohamed Hefzy through Film Clinic and marking Rasha Hosny's debut as a feature film producer, the film's global distribution is managed by Film Clinic Indie Distribution. Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo has already garnered several awards, including the Visual Identity and DCP Services Award from Creative Media Solutions at the fifth Amman Film Industry Days (AFID) and Amman Project Market. Additionally, it received production grants from the Red Sea Film Fund, the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture (AFAC) and Fonds Image de la Francophoni. Written by Mohamed El-Hosseiny and Khaled Mansour, the drama stars Essam Omar, Rakin Saad, Sama Ibrahim and Ahmed Bahaa. Seeking Haven For Mr. Rambo tells the story of a young man confronting his past fears to save his dog and best friend from an uncertain fate. Hassan is a man in his thirties, living with his mother and Rambo, his dog and best friend, in a poor neighbourhood. He hates having a steady job, but his mother pressures him to keep one so he can assist her with their daily expenses. After his mother threatens to cut off the little money she gives him, he decides to go back to his old job, working for Shiko as a sandwich seller. One night, when Hassan returns home, he gets into a fight with Karem, a neighbour working as a car mechanic. Hassan is hit hard, and in his defence, Rambo rushes down and bites Karem in the crotch. When Karem recovers, he tries to vindicate his lost pride. People of the neighbourhood suggest that Rambo is given to Karem, yet Hassan disagrees to such a deal, finding himself in a tough spot. Assisted by his friend Ahmed, who works in a poor governmental veterinary hospital, and Asmaa, a girl who loves Hassan, the protagonist begins a journey in which he attempts to move Rambo to a safe place within the country. Unfortunately, with Karem's connections within their neighbourhood, Hassan is being watched everywhere he goes. With the help of Jamila, an animal aid activist, Hassan finally succeeds in finding a shelter for his dog outside of the country. This drives Karem mad, and so Hassan and his mother are kicked out of their home, and left with an unknown fate.
The National
05-05-2025
- Business
- The National
What Trump's proposed tariffs could mean for the Arab film industry
US President Donald Trump's announcement that he has authorised a 100 per cent tariff on films made "in foreign lands' has been met with shock and confusion in the Mena film community. Countries that offer tax incentives for international productions such as the UAE, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Morocco and Tunisia would be particularly affected by the potential move. For decades, Hollywood projects have been pivotal to the development of their respective local film industries, particularly in terms of investment, infrastructure and talent development. The proposed tariffs could disrupt Hollywood projects already set to film in the region, according to Qais Qandil, the Jordanian founder of The Film Makers, an Emirati production company, which has brought international projects such as The Misfits and Beyond the Likes to the emirates in the past. Qandil tells The National: 'As a producer who has spent years bridging Hollywood and Abu Dhabi, I've seen first-hand how international collaboration strengthens the industry creatively and economically. It may complicate my immediate plans to bring more US projects to the region.' Qandil also notes that Hollywood does not solely choose to film in countries such as the UAE, Jordan and Saudi Arabia because of rebate incentives. Projects such as the Mission: Impossible series, for instance, were able to pull off certain action set pieces thanks to Abu Dhabi's regulatory and logistical capabilities, which are not found in other locations. 'A tariff such as this risks penalising US productions that choose global locations like the UAE not for cost alone, but for world-class infrastructure and cinematic value. It could discourage the very partnerships that have made modern filmmaking thrive,' says Qandil. If Hollywood projects stop filming in the Mena region, it could have a potentially harmful effect on the local creative scene. UAE film professional Kane Rodrigues worked in Abu Dhabi on Dune: Part Two, the upcoming films Now You See Me: Now You Don't and F1, as well as Dubai productions including the Jack Ryan film, which stars John Krasinski, and City of Life 2. If those projects stop coming, it could halt the development of talent from the UAE, he believes. 'As a local sound mixer, getting opportunities to be part of the sound department in major Hollywood studio films means a great deal. UAE's film industry is still evolving, and these are the only opportunities we local crew get to be involved and to grow, as we rarely have locally produced films of this scale,' says Rodrigues. But the Arab film industry at large does not solely rely on Hollywood. Egyptian filmmaker Mohammed Hefzy, founder of the influential pan-regional production company Film Clinic, believes that, apart from Hollywood co-productions, Arab films will largely be unaffected. 'In terms of Arab cinema, the effect would be minimal. There are not many Arab films screened in the US anyway, and American audiences would still see those films on streaming at no extra charge.' Trump's move could also have a ripple effect of retaliatory tariffs that could have an unintended detrimental effect on American movies, Hefzy believes. 'Some European and Asian countries would probably impose counter-tariffs on US films, which would make Hollywood suffer quite a bit,' says Hefzy. The tariff proposition's lack of particulars leaves much uncertainty, especially in the world of streaming – perhaps the most significant current distribution system for bringing Arab films to the world. The US streamer Netflix, for example, distributes and produces several Arab films each year. It's unclear whether those projects would be affected by tariffs as well, how that would be implemented, and if it would harm the growth of Arab film on the world stage. Gianluca Chakra, founder of Front Row Filmed Entertainment, has produced several Netflix original Arab films, including the 2022 Lebanese-Egyptian hit Perfect Strangers and 2025's The Sand Castle. Chakra is concerned that this could affect this business model. 'I'm wondering what would happen to co-productions or streaming originals. How would you measure the value of a so-called non-US production that is streaming in the US in order then to apply its respective tariff or tax?' Chakra wonders. While Chakra understands Trump's concern for the health of Hollywood, which has experienced a marked drop in domestic production in recent years, he doesn't think the US will be able to reverse the trend. And, as on-screen storytelling has become increasingly decentralised, Mena countries should be adding increased incentives for local productions to develop their own self-sustaining industries. 'There is a hunger for those. They're slowly eating away from major studios anyway,' Chakra says. But for filmmakers hoping to gain attention from awards bodies such as the Oscars, US distribution is pivotal. Jordanian filmmaker Razan Takash, head of film at SAE University College Dubai, is concerned that the potential tariffs could affect the ability of foreign films to reach American film festivals, some of which are Oscar qualifiers. Emerging firms such as Watermelon Pictures have made a concerted effort to bring films such as Oscar-nominee Farah Nabulsi's The Teacher to US audiences. The Palestinian-Israeli film No Other Land, too, was theatrically successful despite lacking traditional distribution, in part because of its Oscars boost. And for Arab genre filmmakers, especially those working within the horror and sci-fi spaces, the US is a more supportive market than the Mena region, according to Takash. 'My last sci-fi shorts got distributed mostly in the US, so if they are not going be taking foreign films at the same rate, then that's a big loss for me as a platform,' she adds. Amid a lack of clarity as to how the plan will be enacted and whether it will come to fruition at all, many in the Mena region's film industry are waiting to see what will happen next – and hoping for the best. 'Personally, I believe this tariff is politically driven and unlikely to hold in the long run,' says Qandil.
Broadcast Pro
18-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
Shahid streams Egyptian feature film ‘The White Dress'
The film is produced by Film Clinic and The Planet Studios Arabic streaming platform Shahid has premiered The White Dress, a new Egyptian feature film directed by Jailan Auf and led by actresses Yasmin Raeis and Asmaa Galal. Released exclusively on the platform, the film marks Auf's debut and has already drawn praise for its authentic storytelling and portrayals of women's experiences in contemporary Egypt. Produced by Mohamed Hefzy's Film Clinic, The White Dress features Ahmed Khaled Saleh, Salwa Mohamed Ali, Lubna Wanas, Arwa Gouda, Engy Abou El Seoud and Mimi Gamal. The film captures both the energy and intimacy of Cairo, offering viewers a reflection on self-discovery, societal expectations and personal freedom. The story centres around Warda, who finds herself in crisis on the eve of her wedding when a problem arises with her dress. Her urgent quest to find a replacement takes her on an unexpected journey through the city, prompting deeper reflections about her life, identity and future. Balancing drama with lighter moments, the film delves into the emotional and cultural weight of wedding traditions in Egyptian society.
CairoScene
15-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Egyptian Film ‘Darwish' Wraps Production Ahead of Summer 2025 Release
Set in 1940s Egypt, the film stars Amr Youssef, Dina El Sherbiny, and Tara Emad in a comedic action tale of mistaken identity. Apr 15, 2025 Upcoming Egyptian feature film 'Darwish' has wrapped filming and is set to hit cinemas on July 17th, 2025. Directed by Waleed El Halfawy and written by Wissam Sabry, the film is a period action-comedy that unfolds in Cairo during the 1940s. 'Darwish' follows the story of a con artist who becomes entangled in a case of mistaken identity after being falsely accused of murder. As the story progresses, the character's unexpected rise to public acclaim propels him into a complex web of fame, unresolved conflict with a former partner, and the stirrings of a new romantic relationship. Leading the cast is Amr Youssef, with co-stars Dina El Sherbiny, Tara Emad, Mohamed Shahin, and Moustafa Gharieb playing key roles. The film is a co-production between One to One, Film Clinic, Vox Studios, and Film Square. Darwish is scheduled to hit cinemas starting July 17, 2025, across the Arab world.
See - Sada Elbalad
08-04-2025
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
"The Inevitable Journey Of Finding The Wedding Dress" Gets Streaming Date
Yara Sameh Egyptian stars Asmaa Galal and Yasmin Raeis' latest film "Rehla Albahth A'n Fostan El Zefaf" (The Inevitable Journey Of Finding The Wedding Dress) will make its streaming debut exclusively on the "Shahid" VOD platform on Thursday, April 10. The film hit theatres on November 20 and held its world premiere in the Narrative Feature Competition at the 7th edition of the El Gouna Film Festival (GFF). "Rehla Albahth A'n Fostan El Zefaf" follows a bride-to-be and her best friend embarking on a journey across Cairo in search of a wedding dress after a mishap with the original gown on the eve of the ceremony. The official synopsis reads: "Warda's frantic search for a wedding dress on the eve of the ceremony becomes a journey of self-discovery challenging her relationship with Cairo and herself." 'It's a social drama about two best friends from a low-income neighborhood. The city is very much part of the story and a character in the film,' Film Clinic founder and head Mohamed Hefzy said in a statement. Auf commented, "True to its name, this film has been a rollercoaster journey for its characters to find a wedding dress and for us, its filmmakers, to make it and see its magic unfolding on the screen. It is our pleasure that the film gets its world premiere at the El Gouna Film Festival,'. Alongside Galal and Raeis, the cast also stars Ahmed Khaled Saleh, Salwa Mohamed Ali, and more. It hails from filmmaker Jaylan Auf and is produced by Film Clinic. "Rehla Albahth A'n Fostan El Zefaf" witnesses the second collaboration between Galal and Raeis after working together on the 2020 horror film "Al-Harith". read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia Lifestyle Pistachio and Raspberry Cheesecake Domes Recipe News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Videos & Features Bouchra Dahlab Crowned Miss Arab World 2025 .. Reem Ganzoury Wins Miss Arab Africa Title (VIDEO) News Israeli PM Diagnosed with Stage 3 Prostate Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple
