MAD Solutions Boasts Twelve Films at the Festival des Cinemas Arabes a Paris

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MAD Solutions Boasts Twelve Films at the Festival des Cinemas Arabes a Paris


MAD Solutions sends twelve films from its distribution list to take part in the Festival des Cinémas Arabes à Paris (Arab Cinema Festival in Paris), France, that is taking place from June 28 to July 8. The selected MAD films are: Kiss Me Not by director Ahmed Amer, The Reports on Sarah and Saleem by director Muayad Alayan, 17 by director Widad Shafakoj, The Band by director Albaqer Jafeer, Sarmad by director Abdullah Alhemairi, City Soul by director Hicham Lasri, Room for a Man by director Anthony Chidiac, 300 KM by director Mohammed Alholayyil, Lollipop by director Hanaa Saleh Alfassi, The Journey by director Mohamed Al-Daradji, BONBONÉ by director Rakan Mayasi, and SACRILÈGE by director Christophe M. Saber. The screenings will be attended by the films' directors.

Marking a comeback after a 12-year hiatus, the Festival des Cinémas Arabes à Paris (Arab Cinema Festival in Paris) is organized by the Institut du Monde Arabe. The first edition of the festival was first launched in 1992 to be held on a biennial basis. The festival aims to strengthen the ties between the Arab world and Paris through cinema and film industry.

About Kiss Me Not

Kiss Me Not follows a young and ambitious Egyptian director who faces issues while shooting a kissing scene in his new film with the leading actress Fajr who decides to pursue a more religious path.

The film landed its world premiere at the 14th edition of the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) as part of the Arabian Nights programme, in addition to receiving a Special Mention at the 1st Jounieh International Film Festival. Kiss Me Not stars Yasmin Raeis, Mohamed Mahran, Salwa Mohamed Ali and Aida Riad with guest stars actress Sawsan Badr, late director Mohamed Khan and director Khairy Beshara. The film is written and directed by Ahmed Amer and produced by Middlewest Films, WIKA for Film Production and Distribution, and MAD Solutions.

About 17:

17 follows the Jordanian under-17 women's football team as they prepare for the FIFA U17 Women's World Cup Jordan 2016. Coming from different backgrounds, each of the girls has faced a different set of challenges as a national team player. But now they come together to face their biggest challenge yet. 17 is a social exploration into the lives of young women who are passionate about a sport they have been told was only for men. Will Anoud make it in the final squad? Will Leen be ready to play in this world-class event with so little time to prepare? Will the odds finally start working for the team?

17 is directed by Widad Shafakoj, produced by Muna Fityani and distributed in the Arab world by MAD Solutions. During 2017, the film screened at the Carthage Film Festival (JCC) in Tunisia and Arab Film Festival in California, USA.

About The Band

The film tells the story of Hulm Band that is made up of six musicians who are sparing no efforts to fulfill their dream of playing Sufi music in their hometown, Sadr city in Iraq. They only face one dilemma which lies in the fact that they can get murdered for playing music in a city where music is forbidden. In 67 minutes, the film follows the band members as they open up to the film's director, Albaqer Jafeer, on their dreams, aspirations and the reality in which they find themselves. The Band is written and directed by Albaqer Jafeer, and distributed in the Arab world by MAD Solutions.

About Sarmad:

Omran finds himself at a hospital with no idea how he got there. He finds a car in the parking lot under his name and with his new home address inside. Once he's out of the hospital, he finds a film recorded especially for him which contains some surprises. Is this the answer to Omran's mysterious episode and the clue to his identity?

Written and directed by Abdullah Alhemairi, Sarmad stars Abdullah Alhemairi, Asem Hijazi, and Priyanka Porwal. The film is produced by Abdullah Alhemairi, Ali Bin Matar and distributed by MAD Solutions through the Arab world.

The film landed its world premiere at the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) where it competed within the Muhr Short Competition.

About City Soul:

A short film tells the story of a child who walks with a mirror through the sprawling Casablancan metropolis in order to capture its soul. The living, breathing soul of Casablanca is found within the parade of human life the youngster encounters along the way.

Written and directed by Hicham Lasri, City Soul stars Hamid Najah, Salma Dlimi, and Adil Mouloudi. MAD Solutions is handling the film's distribution through the Arab world.

The film landed its world premiere at the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF).

About Room for a Man

The film follows a young gay filmmaker who shares a Beirut apartment with his mother and pet dog attempts to reconstruct his identity by renovating his bedroom. But as the Syrian construction workers come and go in the freshly embattled household, new questions, old arguments and unexpected passions get stirred. Venturing further, the filmmaker contacts his estranged father to ask about the Argentinian passport he once had as a little boy. After years of separation, father and son embark on a journey to South America in search of family ties. The film is an intimate essay about the meaning of masculinity and a young man's search for acceptance across two continents.

Room for a Man is written and directed by Lebanese filmmaker Anthony Chidiac, produced by Talal Al-Muhanna (Linked Productions) and Carole Abboud (c.cam production), and distributed in the Arab world by MAD Solutions. The film received production and post-production grants from the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture (AFAC) and a production grant from the Screen Institute Beirut. Room for a Man world premiered at the Montreal International Documentary Festival (RIDM) in Canada.

About 300 KM:

Hailing from a conservative community, a man, woman and child are forced to travel together in a small car to undertake the journey over a 300-km long stretch of road.300 KM stars Khaled Alsaqr, Zara Albalushi, and Ibrahim Alhajjaj. The film is written, directed and produced by Mohammed Alholayyil and distributed in the Arab world by MAD Solutions.

The film landed its world premiere at the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) where it won the Jury Award within the Muhr Feature Competition. The film took part in the Tangier International Film Festival, Sudan Independent Film Festival (SIFF) and the Muscat International Film Festival.

About Lollipop

A 14-year-old Muslim girl experiences the onset of puberty, meaning she must begin wearing a full black niqab. When her tormentor at school swipes her jacket, a case of mistaken identity exposes the perversity of the bully's father.

The film landed its world premiere at the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) within the Muhr Shorts Competition. Most recently, it took place in the Arab Film Festival at Cinetopia in USA and the Festimaj International School Film Festival in France.

Lollipop is directed by Hanaa Saleh Alfassi and stars Malak Radwan, Ayman Samman, Sarah Alhazmi. It is also produced by Hanaa Saleh Alfassi, Shannon Emigh, Co-founder of Axe Pictures (USA), alongside Alex Lampsos and Malika Frikouk, Executive Producer and Co-founder of the Moroccan branch of the company. The film was partly funded by Enjaaz, Dubai Film Market's production support programme, and is distributed within the Arab world by MAD Solutions.

About The Journey:

As Sara stands on the cusp of committing an unthinkable act, an unforeseen and awkward encounter gives her the opportunity to witness the potential consequences of her destructive action. But, is this a second chance or an admission of guilt?

The Journey landed its Arab world premiere at the 14th Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) within the Muhr Feature Competition. The film competed in more than ten film festivals including; the BFI London Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival and the Busan International Film Festival. Most recently, the film has won the Special Jury Award at the Sham El-Sheikh Film Festival and will land its U.S premiere at the Miami Film Festival. Simultaneously, The Journey was released in Iraqi cinemas.

The Journey is directed by Mohamed Al-Daradji, who co-writes and co-produces the film with Isabelle Stead. The film stars Zahraa Ghandour and Ameer Jbara and produced by Human Film, Iraqi Independent Film Center (IIFC) in cooperation with Lionceau Films, Iraq Al-Rafidain and Iraqi Media Network. The film received grants from the Doha Film Institute, AFAC - The Arab Fund for Arts and Culture, World Cinema Fund, the Centre National du Cinéma et de l'image Animée (CNC) and the French Institute (IF) of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development, Netherlands Film Fund, SANAD Development Fund (Abu Dhabi Film Festival) and Screen Yorkshire. MAD Solutions handling the distribution of the film through the Arab world.

About The Reports on Sarah and Saleem:

The film is written by Rami Alayan and directed by Muayad Alayan. Set in Jerusalem, Sarah and Saleem are having an extramarital affair that ignites a dangerous game of deceit between those who hold power and those who don't.

The Reports on Sarah and Saleem landed its world premiere at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) and won the Special Jury Award for Best Screenplay and the Audience Award (Hubert Bals) within the official Tiger Hivos Competition, as well as the Audience Award (Hubert Bals). It also screened in the European Film Market within the events of Berlinale.

The film won the production support of the Arab Fund for the Arts and Culture (AFAC), Film Lab Palestine, World Cinema Fund (WCF), Hubert BalsDevelopment Fund (HBF), the Netherlands Film Fund + HBF and the HBF + Europe coproduction scheme among others. Written by Rami Alayan, The Reports on Sarah and Saleem stars Maisa Abd Elhadi, Adeeb Safadi and Kamel El Basha and written by Rami Alayan. The film is a joint production between PalCineProductions in Palestine and co-producers KeyFilm in the Netherlands, ManderleyFilms GmbH in Germany, and Monofilms in Mexico. The leading Arab world partner, MAD Solutions, handles the distribution of the film in the Arab world.

About BONBONÉ

In less than 16 minutes, BONBONÉ follows a Palestinian inmate serving time in an Israeli jail receives a visit from his wife who devises a bold and crafty operation to fulfill their secret desires.

BONBONÉ landed its world premiere at the 42nd Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) within the Short Cuts section.

Written and directed by Rakan Mayasi, BONBONÉ stars Saleh Bakri, RanaAlamuddin and features Nadira Omran. BONBONÉ is produced by Groundglass235 in co-production with The Postoffice andMad4Films, and in association with db Studios. MAD Solutions is responsible for distributing the film across the Arab world and Salaud Morisset is responsible of international sales.

About SACRILÈGE:

The short film tells the story of Saoud, who is the king of his neighborhood in Saint Etienne, France. A rumor comes up that he might have stolen money from the local mosque. Saoud faces a violent series of accusations which will lead to his fall and exile.

The film took part in more than 18 film festivals and won the Best Short Film award at the Max Ophüls Preis in Germany, Special Jury Mention at the Extérieur Nuit in France, and the Best Actor Award at the Festival du Cinéma Européen de Lille in France.

Written and directed by Christophe M. Saber, SACRILÈGE stars Mehdi Djaadi and Jérémie Saber, and produced by Elodie Brunner, Elena Tatti, and François Morisset. MAD Solutions is distributing the film in the Arab world.

Screening Times of MAD Solutions' Films at the Festival des Cinémas Arabes à Paris (GMT +2)

BONBONÉ: Sunday, July 1 at 02:00 pm
300 KM: Sunday, July 1 at 04:30 pm
17: Monday, July 2 at 02:00 pm
The Band: Tuesday, July 3 at 02:00 pm
Kiss Me Not: Tuesday, July 3 at 07:00 pm
The Reports on Sarah and Saleem: Tuesday, July 3 at 09:00 pm
Room for a Man: Wednesday, July 4 at 02:00 pm
Sarmad: Wednesday, July 4 at 04:30 pm
City Soul: Thursday, July 5 at 11:00 am
SACRILÈGE: Thursday, July 5 at 04:00 pm
Lollipop: Thursday, July 5 at 04:30 pm
The Journey: Friday, July 6 at 07:00 pm