Sudanese And Tunisian Films Shine At The Critics Awards For Arab Films in Cannes
Bazaar Arabia brings you all the highlights from this year’s ceremony highlighting works from the MENA region
At the eighth Critics Awards for Arab Films, held on the sidelines of the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, Sudanese first-time director Mohamed Kordofani’s drama Goodbye Julia emerged as a standout, winning both the Best Feature Film and Best Screenplay awards.
The movie is set during the tumultuous events leading up to South Sudan’s independence from Sudan in 2011 and delves into the interlinked lives of two women, each from different parts of the states.
Remarkably, it is the first Sudanese film to be featured in the official selection of the Cannes Film Festival, it was part of the Un Certain Regard category. This not only marks a significant achievement for Mohamed but also a milestone for the country’s cinema on the international stage.
In other notable wins, French-Tunisian composer Amin Bouhafa received the Best Music award for his work on the Saudi Arabian film Hajjan.
Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania’s Four Daughters, a hybrid docudrama that narrowly missed the Best Documentary award at the Oscars, also won three major prizes. Kaouther was honoured with the Best Director award, while the film also secured Best Documentary and Best Editing, highlighting its artistic and technical prowess.
Four Daughters tells the story of a mother named Olfa, played by Tunisian and Egyptian actress Hend Sabri, who discovers that two of her daughters have joined ISIS. The film is an international co-production between France, Tunisia, Germany and Saudi Arabia.
Jordanian filmmaker Amjad Al-Rasheed’s Inshallah a Boy garnered two awards: Best Actress for Palestinian star Mouna Hawa and Best Cinematography for Kanamé Onoyama.
Palestinian actor Saleh Bakri won the Best Actor prize for his compelling role in The Teacher, adding another accolade to his career. Additionally, Egyptian filmmaker Morad Mostafa’s I Promise You Paradise received the Best Short Film award.
The awards are organised by the Cairo-based Arab Cinema Centre (ACC), with winners selected by a jury of 225 critics from over 70 countries.
This diverse panel ensures a wide range of perspectives and celebrates the rich tapestry of film talent from the MENA region.
More from the Cannes Film Festival…
Qatari Singer Dana Al Fardan To Make History At The 77th Cannes Film Festival
Cannes Film Festival 2024 Jewellery: 8 of The Most Exquisite Pieces on The Red Carpet
Lead Image Courtesy of imdb.com