Arab Films At Cannes 2023: 6 Regional Movies Not To Be Missed
This year’s Cannes Film Festival is having an Arab take over, and here are the highlights you cannot miss
Arab Films At Cannes 2023: 6 Regional Movies Not To Be Missed
Lights, camera, action! Arguably the most prestigious awards in global cinema, the Cannes Film Festival promises bona fide stars and hotly anticipated movie premieres. This year, MENA is making its mark. From Mohamed Kordofani to Mona Chokri, an exceptional selection of regional talent will be showcasing their latest cinematic works on the global stage, representing the region’s ever-burgeoning creativity.
Arab Films At Cannes 2023: 6 Regional Movies Not To Be Missed
Goodbye Julia by Mohamed Kordofani
Sudanese cinema is resurfacing, with stronger narratives and louder voices. This year, Goodbye Julia by Mohamed Kordofani tells the story of Mona, a retired singer carrying immense guilt after covering up the murder of a family patriarch. She attempts to atone for her sins by taking in the devastated family – yet is unable to confess her transgressions. As she tries to move on from the past, her peace is disrupted and she is forced to confront the consequences of her actions.
Les Filles D’olfa by Kaouther Ben Hania
Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania returns to our screens with Les Filles D’Olfa (Four Daughters), a follow up to her acclaimed movie, The Man Who Sold His Skin. This female-led drama, starring Egyptian-Tunisian actress Hend Sabry, discusses radicalisation among the next generation, putting the spotlight on a mother who is battling to save her children from extreme ideologies.
The Mother Of All Lies by Asmae El Moudir
Young Moroccan filmmaker Asmae el Moudir wants to know why she only has one photograph from her childhood, and why the girl in the picture isn’t even her. She decides to explore the past and its mysteries by creating a handmade replica of the Casablanca neighborhood where she grew up. There, she begins to interrogate the tales her mother, father and grandmother tell about their home and their country. Slowly, she starts to unravel the layers of deception and intentional forgetting that have shaped her life. The truth is hard to face, but in this sometimes surreal nonfiction film, El Moudir begins to draw what is real to the surface.
Les Meutes by Kamal Lazraq
Kamal Lazraq’s debut feature film thrusts us into the life of a father-son duo, who use petty crime as a means of getting through life in Casablanca. One night their escapades take an unexpected dark turn, leading to a kidnapping. We predict that Kamal, who has already established his reputation with short films, will see his latest endeavour thrust him into the international cinematic spotlight.
Omar La Fraise by Elias Belkeddar
Old-school gangster Omar La Fraise lives off of small-scale scams. Eventually his antics earn him 20 years in prison, and to steer clear of this sentence he must clean up his act. Franco-Algerian filmmaker Elias’ movie delicately discusses the struggle many face when born into a life of crime, when faced with the choice between making an honest living and giving in to illegal, adrenaline-filled antics.
Simple Comme Sylvain by Monia Chokri
Get swept away by this romantic comedy portraying the clash between two very different worlds. Monia, a Tunisian actress-turned-director crafts this film about Sophia, the daughter of a wealthy clan, and Slyvain, the son of factory workers. The couple face familial pressure from all sides when their lives are turned upside down by love. Sophia begins to question all of her values, abandoning her upbringing to follow her heart.
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s May 2023 issue.
Supplied Images.