Fatima Al-Banawi To Star In A Daring New Drama
The director and actress addresses topics of mental health and wellbeing in her new movie “Basma”
Fatima Al-Banawi recently revealed the details of her first feature film which is set to start shooting in Jeddah in October.
In addition to writing and directing Basma, the regional megastar is starring the movie, playing the role of a 26-year-old daughter of a man suffering from mental health issues.
“I love working with family dynamics,” said Al-Banawi in an interview with Variety. She deliberately contextualised mental illness within a family, rather than an institution, so that its more relatable to her audience.
Following her degree in psychology, the multifaceted creative felt it was important to touch on topics that address the deep-rooted stigma around mental illness in the Arab world.
Basma gained the support of the Foundation of the Red Sea Film Festival in Jeddah and is co-produced by Egyptian screenwriter Mohamed Hefzy.
Lead image shot by Xevi Muntane.
