Latest news with #ToALandUnknown
Broadcast Pro
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
Zawya Cinema to release Palestinian film ‘To A Land Unknown' on July 16
Writer-director Mahdi Fleifel's second feature follows two immigrants in Athens as they struggle by any means necessary to escape their circumstances. Zawya Cinema has announced the upcoming release of To A Land Unknown, a Palestinian film by director Mahdi Fleifel, on July 16 as part of the eighth edition of Cairo Cinema Days. The screening marks the film's arrival in Egypt after a wide theatrical rollout across the Arab world, including in Morocco, Tunisia, Lebanon, the UAE, Palestine and Jordan. The 2024 drama made its world premiere at the 77th Cannes International Film Festival, where it was featured in the Directors' Fortnight (Quinzaine des Réalisateurs) section. Since then, the film has travelled an extensive international festival circuit, screening at over 100 events and collecting more than 20 awards, with over 40 theatrical releases globally. To A Land Unknown is directed and co-written by Mahdi Fleifel, alongside writers Fyzal Boulifa and Jason McColgan. The film stars Mahmood Bakri and Aram Sabbah as Chatila and Reda, two Palestinian refugees stranded in Athens after fleeing a refugee camp in Lebanon. Desperate to reach Germany, they struggle to survive on the fringes of society, scraping together money to purchase fake passports. But their fragile plan begins to unravel when Reda, burdened by guilt and disillusionment, squanders their savings on heroin. Left with nothing, Chatila becomes entangled in a dangerous smuggling scheme as they try to escape their dead-end existence. Blending documentary realism with dramatic storytelling, Fleifel's film delivers an emotionally charged portrait of refugee life in Europe, marked by vulnerability, resistance and the desperate pursuit of hope. The arrival of Malek, a young boy whose aunt promises to send money to bring him to Italy, provides a brief glimmer of optimism for the two men, but their future remains uncertain. The film is a European co-production involving several companies and institutions, including Inside Out Films (UK), Nakba Filmworks, Salaud Morisset (France and Germany), Homemade Films (Greece) and Studio Ruba (Netherlands). Additional support came from ERT, Metafora Production and the Red Sea Production Fund in Saudi Arabia. Distribution across the Arab region is handled by Film Clinic Indie Distribution. With To A Land Unknown, Mahdi Fleifel delivers a raw, humane, and timely story about exile, brotherhood and survival, firmly establishing the film as a standout in contemporary Arab and European cinema.
Arab News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Arab News
May Calamawy promotes Palestinian film's North American run
DUBAI: Egyptian Palestinian actress May Calamawy took to social media on Saturday to promote Palestinian film 'To A Land Unknown.' For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @ Distributed by Watermelon Pictures, the film is directed by Mahdi Fleifel and stars Angeliki Papoulia, Mahmoud Bakri, Manal Awad and Aram Sabbah. May Calamawy took to Instagram Stories to share news that 'To A Land Unknown' is on a 40-screen cinema run in North America this month, including showings in New York, Houston and Vancouver. 'Reda and Chatila are two Palestinian cousins hustling their way through the underbelly of Athens pursuing their dream of making it to Germany. But as their hardship grows, so too does their desperation. When Chatila hatches a reckless all-or-nothing plan, it strains their bond and pushes the limits of what they will do for freedom,' the film's logline reads. The film was awarded the Silver Yusr Award December's Red Sea Film Festival in Saudi Arabia. Watermelon Pictures was co-founded by Alana Hadid, the sister of supermodels Gigi and Bella Hadid. Hadid — along with brothers Badie Ali and Hamza Ali — co-founded Watermelon Pictures, a production company with a mission to create compelling, impactful stories that resonate with global audiences. 'I was honored to be asked to be the creative director of Watermelon Pictures. I think it's not only a passion project for Hamza and Badie, but it is an opportunity for Palestinians to have a place to go to tell their stories … I get emotional about it. I think it's just one of the most beautiful things that people have a place where they can put their stories. And we know that we have a safe place for that,' Hadid previously told Arab News. For her part, Calamawy is known for her roles in US Netflix series 'Ramy' and 'Moon Knight' (2022), where she plays dual characters Layla El-Faouly and the Scarlet Scarab. She made headlines in late 2024 when almost all her scenes were cut from Ridley Scott's 'Gladiator II,' with fans taking to social media to complain. Her casting in the film was first announced in May 2023. At the time, Deadline reported that Scott had cast Calamawy after a lengthy search, writing: 'While many of the leading roles were straight offers, Scott wanted to do a similar search he did for the (Paul) Mescal part for the role that Calamawy ultimately landed.' However, fans noticed that in the final cut, which hit cinemas in November, Calamawy is only seen in passing and she has no dialogue.
