Four Films Distributed by MAD Solutions Screen within Cairo Cinema Days

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Hedi | Gaza Surf Club | Submarine |The Parrot

Four Films Distributed by MAD Solutions Screen within Cairo Cinema Days


Four films from the MAD Solutions distribution lineup are taking part in the Cairo Cinema Days screening programme presented by Zawya Cinema (9-16 May) in Cairo and other governorates; the feature film Hedi by director Mohamed Ben Attia, which is the programme opener, the documentary film Gaza Surf Club by Philip Gnadt and Mickey Yamine, and the two short films Submarine by Mounia Akl and The Parrot by Darin Sallam and Amjad Al Rasheed.

Director Mohamed Ben Attiais expected to attend a panel discussion about his film Hedi. Philip Gnadt and Mickey Yamine, directors of Gaza Surf Club will be in attendance as well.

With the attendance of directors Mohamed Ben Attia, Philip Gnadt and Mickey Yamine, panel discussions will follow their two films; Hedi and Gaza Surf Club.

Cairo Cinema Days will be launched in seven movie theaters in Cairo and several governorates, presenting 40 films that have been successful at Arab and international festivals. The Cairo screenings will be held at Zawya and Zamalek cinemas, in addition to public screenings that will be held at movie theaters in Alexandria, Port Said, and Ismailia.

About Hedi
Having a successful tour in international festivals winning several awards, director Mohamed Ben Attia won the Best First Feature Award, and the film's lead actor Majd Mastoura won the Silver Berlin Bear at the Berlinale and the Best Artistic Achievement Award at the Luxor African Film Festival (LAFF). Hedi is written and directed by Mohamed Ben Attia, and co-produced by Dora Bouchoucha, Nadim Cheikhrouha, along with Belgian producers and directors, the brothers Jean-Pierre Dardenne and Luc Dardenne (Two Days, One Night), while the Arab world distribution of the film is handled by MAD Solutions.

The film follows Hedi, a young man who doesn't expect much from the future. While his mother tries to decide his life for him, making arrangements for marrying him off to Khadija, Hedi meets Rym and only two days before his wedding. Captivated by Rym's free-spirit, Hedi finds himself obsessed with his new-born passion and suddenly discovers that his world goes beyond and above conventions. The film stars MajdMastoura, Rym Ben Messaoud, and Sabah Bouzouita.

Screening Details:
Tuesday, May 9 at 09:00 pm at Zawya Cinema, Cairo
Wednesday, May 10 at 09:00 pm at Zamalek Cinema, Cairo
Friday, May 12 at 07:30 pm at Rio Cinema, Port Said
Tuesday, May 16 at 06:30 pm at Amir Cinema, Alexandria

About Gaza Surf Club
Directed by Philip Gnadt and Mickey Yamine, Gaza Surf Club is a feature documentary film that stars Sabah Abu Ghanem, Mohammed Abu Jayab and Ibrahim Arafat. In 2013, the film project received the Film Prize of the Robert Bosch Stiftung. The film landed its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and nominated to the Social Justice Award at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and the Halekulani Golden Orchid Award at the Hawaii International Film Festival. The film took part in several film festivals including the Dubai international Film Festival (DIFF).

Trapped in "the world's largest open-air prison" and ruled by war, a new generation is drawn to the beaches. Sick of occupation and political gridlock, they find their own personal freedom in the waves of the Mediterranean. They are the surfers of Gaza.

Screening Details:
Saturday, May 13 at 06:30 pm at Zawya Cinema, Cairo
Sunday, May 14 at 06:30 pm at Zamalek Cinema, Cairo

About Submarine
Submarine landed its world premiere at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival, followed by its participation at the Toronto International Film Festival, in addition to 15 international festivals. Submarine's director MouniaAkl has won the Special Jury Prize in the Muhr Short competition at the 13th Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF). Under the imminent threat of Lebanon's garbage crisis, Hala, a wild child inside of a woman is the only one to refuse evacuation, clinging to whatever remains of home.

Produced by Cyril Aris and JinaneChaaya, and distributed by MAD Solutions in the Arab world, Submarine stars Julian Farhat, Yumna Marwan, and Adel Chahine. Submarine was also awarded the James Bridges production grant.

Screening Details (Short Films #1)
Thursday, May 11 at 05:00 pm at Rio Cinema, Port Said
Saturday, May 13 at 01:30 pm at Zawya Cinema, Cairo
Saturday, May 13 at 06:30 pm at Donia Cinema, Ismailia

About The Parrot
The Parrot tells the story of a Mizrahi Jewish family, who emigrate from Morocco, trying to settle into their new life in Haifa, Palestine in 1948. The film stars Hend Sabry, Ashraf Barhoum, Yasmine Ben Amara, Eyad Hourani, Firas Taybeh, Lara Sawalha, and Ahmad Al-Madani, and is written by Amjad Al Rasheed, Darin Sallam, and Rifqi Assaf.

The Parrot is one of the film projects funded by the German Robert Bosch Stiftung Foundation, which funds the Best German-Arab film projects. The film that won the Best Short Film award earlier this year is co-produced by the German Foundation and Royal Film Commission-Jordan, and is distributed in the Arab world by MAD Solutions. The film landed its world premiere at the 13th Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) within the Muhr Short competition.

Screening Details (Short Films #1)
Thursday, May 11 at 05:00 pm at Rio Cinema, Port Said
Saturday, May 13 at 01:30 pm at Zawya Cinema, Cairo
Saturday, May 13 at 06:30 pm at Donia Cinema, Ismailia