Latest news with #Komoko
Egypt Today
23-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Egypt Today
Maja Ajmia's TÊTES BRÛLÉES Receives Special Mention Generation International Jury 14plus Feature Film at Berlinale
Berlin, 21st February — The excitement is palpable as Maja Ajmia's moving coming-of-age drama TÊTES BRÛLÉES receives the Special Mention Generation International Jury 14plus Feature Film at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival! This remarkable recognition highlights TÊTES BRÛLÉES as one of the most celebrated titles in this year's Generation 14plus lineup, leaving audiences eager for more. In their statement, the jury praised the film as "a remarkable debut that offers a rare glimpse into a world of solidarity and love through the eyes of a young girl. With visually fresh imagery and heartfelt storytelling, it brings grief's complexity to the forefront, showing how loss can be painful and transformative. A bold yet gentle work, it reminds us of the power of unity in difficult times." The film enjoyed a full-house screening at Berlinale, followed by an engaging Q&A session with the cast and crew. And there's still more to look forward to — the final screening takes place on Sunday, 23rd February at 4:15 PM at Cubix 6. A Belgian production with a Tunisian flavor, TÊTES BRÛLÉES is a coming-of-age story shaped by tragedy that follows 12-year-old Eya as she comes to grips with the sudden loss of her older brother Younès, with whom she shared an intense and inseparable bond. Immersed in a deeply codified and intense grieving process, she draws on her creativity, resilience, and the support of Younès' friends to come to terms with his passing and carve out her own path toward adulthood. Produced by Komoko and co-produced by Quetzalcoatl and 1080 Films, TÊTES BRÛLÉES is written and directed by the Belgian-Tunisian-Danish director and screenwriter Maja Ajmia. The film is produced by Marc Goyens (HERE, GHOST TROPIC) and Nabil Ben Yadir (ANIMALS), lensed by Grimm Vandekerckhove (HERE, GHOST TROPIC), edited by Dieter Diependaele (HERE, GHOST TROPIC), with Eve Martin handling production design, Marie McCourt casting, and David Vranken sound design. Additionally, the film's international sales are handled by MAD World, while MAD Distribution is in charge of its MENA-wide distribution. As for the talents in front of the camera, TÊTES BRÛLÉES stars Safa Gharbaoui, Mehdi Bouziane, Mounir Amamra (DIVINES), Adnane El Haruati, Saber Tabi, Nicolas Makola, Mehdi Zellama, and Monia Taieb.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Bad Boys for Life' Directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah to Make Movie About Tragic True Story of Black Student's Death in Fraternity Hazing (EXCLUSIVE)
'Bad Boys for Life' filmmakers Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah are set to direct a film about the tragic true story of Sanda Dia, a Black student who died in 2018 after enduring a violent fraternity hazing ritual at an elite university in Belgium. Brussels-based production company Komoko, founded by Nabil Ben Yadir and Marc Goyens, is producing the film. More from Variety Cannes Movie 'Rebel' From 'Bad Boys For Life' Directors Adil El Arbi, Bilall Fallah, Sells to Yellow Veil for North America (EXCLUSIVE) 'Ms. Marvel' Directors Tease New Hollywood Project, Discuss Brendan Fraser's Oscar Buzz Reviving 'Batgirl' 'Batgirl' Directors: We Were Blocked From Accessing Footage After Studio Canceled Movie Penned by El Arbi and Fallah, the script was inspired by the books penned by Dia's father, Ousmane (Papis) Dia, 'ze hebben mijn zoon vermoord' ('They Killed My Son'), and 'De doop die leidde tot de dood' ('The Baptism That Led to Death') by journalist Pieter Huyberechts. Dia was 20 years old when he died in the hazing ritual at the Catholic University of Leuven, where he was forced by members of an elite – and mostly white — fraternity to swallow a live goldfish, and drink large amount of fish oil and alcohol during a brutal initiation ritual. Dia collapsed and died in a hospital two days later after suffering News Dia's death sparked uproar in Belgium and call for justice as the 18 members of the fraternity who were involved in the hazing didn't receive a prison sentence and were instead sentenced between 200 and 300 hours of community service, and fined about $430 each. 'Like everyone else, we were in shock of what happened to Sanda during those two days,' said El Arbi and Fallah on the project. 'When we got in touch with his father, Papis Dia, we were impressed by his courage and his willpower to fight for justice. This film is a love letter from him to Sanda. We recognize ourselves in Sanda and our parents in Papis,' said the directors. The untitled project marks a milestone for Komoko which was 'founded with a mission to support bold and visionary filmmakers,' said the company. The outfit recently produced 'Têtes Brûlées' by Maja-Ajmia Yde Zellama, which premiered at the Berlinale Generation section earlier this week. The company's ambitious slate includes the feature debut of celebrated choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui. The producers are meeting potential partners for the untitled project at the Berlinale. El Arbi and Fallah recently directed 'Bad Boys: Ride or Die' and 'Gangstas,' the coming-of-age tale of Jamal 'Juice Sinclair' and his rise to fame. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Grammy Predictions, From Beyoncé to Kendrick Lamar: Who Will Win? Who Should Win? What's Coming to Netflix in February 2025
