Six Films Distributed-Marketed by MAD Solutions at the Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF)

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Foreign Body | Sheikh Jackson | Before the Summer Crowds | Egyptian Jeanne d'Arc | Ali, The Goat and Ibrahim | A Day For Women

Six Films Distributed-Marketed by MAD Solutions at the Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF)


Six films distributed/marketed by MAD Solutions are going to be screened at the 39th Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) (November 21-30). The Tunisian film Foreign Body by Raja Amari is going to be screened in the Festival of Festivals section, while Sheikh Jackson by Amr Salama, Before the Summer Crowds by late director Mohamed Khan, the documentary Egyptian Jeanne d'Arc by Iman Kamel, Ali, the Goat and Ibrahim by Sherif El Bendary and A Day for Women by Kamla Abouzekri are going to be screened within the New Egyptian Cinema 2016-2017 section.

The Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) is the oldest cultural event in Africa and the Arab world, and is one of the 15 festivals in Africa and the Arab region to be accorded category "A" status by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF) in Paris.

About Foreign Body
The film follows the first months in France of Samia, a young illegal immigrant who ran away from her brother. Haunted by the fear of being followed by her extremist brother whom she had denounced to the authorities, Samia first finds refuge at Imed's home, a former acquaintance from her village, before ending up working for the rich widow Leila. These new meetings mingle with her headlong flight, where desire enhances tensions.

Foreign Body is written and directed by Raja Amari, and stars Palestinian eminent actress Hiam Abbass, Sarah Hannachi, Salim Kechiouche, and Majd Mastoura. The film is co-produced by Dora Bouchoucha
and Dominique Besnéhard. MAD Solutions is responsible for the film's distribution in the Arab world.

About Sheikh Jackson
The events of the film take us back to June 25, 2009 as the news of Michael Jackson's death took the world by storm affecting many, especially a preacher who is dubbed "Jackson" during his school days. But, what does a preacher have in common with the King of Pop? More importantly, can he now go back to his normal life, or will his memories and relationships with his loved ones raise the most prominent question in his mind? Is he the Sheikh, Jackson, or both?

Sheikh Jackson is written and directed by Amr Salama and co-written by Omar Khaled. The film stars Ahmad Al Fishawy, Maged El Kedwany, Ahmed Malek, along with guest stars Amina Khalil, Dorra, Basma and Mahmoud El Bezawy. Sheikh Jackson is co-produced by The Producers, Film Clinic and iProductions, with Daniel Ziskind asassociate producer. MAD Solutions is handling the film's marketing.

About Before the Summer Crowds
Set in a seaside resort, the film tracks a group of people who meet each other by the beginning of summer season. Before the Summer Crowds is the last film by late director Mohamed Khan. The film is co-written by Ghada Shahbandar and Nura El Sheikh, who also participated in the screenwriting. It stars Maged El Kedwany, Hana Shiha, Ahmed Dawood, Lana Mushtaq and Hany El Metennawy. Set in a seaside resort, the film tracks a group of people who meet each other by the beginning of summer season.

The film is a co-production of five production houses: Middle West Films, Film Clinic, The Producers, Wika for Film Production and Distribution and MAD Solutions, which handles the film's international distribution through its distribution arm, MAD Distribution.


About Egyptian Jeanne d'Arc
The documentary film Egyptian Jeanne d'Arc tells the true stories of resistance by Egyptian women since the outbreak of the revolution in 2011 through mythic story elements, poetic narration and dance. The film is directed by Iman Kamel, and co-produced by Nomad's Home Production (Iman Kamel) and Linked Productions (Talal Al-Muhanna). The film marks Iman's second collaboration with Kuwaiti producer Talal Al-Muhanna.

About Ali, the Goat and Ibrahim
Ali, the Goat and Ibrahim follows a strange love story of a young man living in a rough neighborhood. He travels across Egypt on the recommendation of a psychic along with Ibrahim who is almost driven mad by the voices he hears in his head. Their journey turns into a voyage of friendship and self-discovery.

The film stars Ali Sobhi, Ahmed Magdy, Salwa Mohamed Aly and Nahed El Sebai. Directed by Sherif El Bendary, Ali, the Goat and Ibrahim is written by Ahmed Amer, based on Ibrahim El Batout's story, and produced by Mohamed Hefzy's Film Clinic, Transit Films of Hossam Elouan,and the French film production company Arizona Productions led by Guillaume de Seille, along with Daniel Ziskind as Associate Producer. The film's distribution in the Arab world is jointly handled by MAD Solutions and Film Clinic-Indie Distribution (FCID), while its worldwide distribution is handled by the French sales agent Loco Films.

About A Day for Women
A Day for Women takes place in a shabby neighborhood in Egypt where a youth center decides to allocate one day on the swimming pool for women only. The film follows the consequences of this decision on the social, psychological and emotional life of the women living in that neighborhood.

A Day for Women brings together a cast and crew of outstanding women, as it is produced by Elham Shahin, who also stars in the film, through her company Shahin Film, directed by Kamla Abouzekri, written by Hanaa Atiyah, DOP Nancy Abdel Fattah and Costume Designer Inas Shahin. The film stars Nelly Karim, Nahed El Sebai, Hala Sedqi, Ragaa Hussein, Shaimaa Seif, along with Mahmoud Hemida, Farouk Al Fishawy, Ahmad Al Fishawy, Eyad Nassar, and Ahmed Dawood. MAD Solutions handles the film's marketing and promotion in the Arab world.

Screening Times of Films Distributed/Marketed by MAD Solutions at the Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) (GMT+2)

Festival of Festivals
Foreign Body
Wednesday, November 22, 03:30 PM at Zamalek Cinema
Friday, November 24, 06:00 PM at the Creativity Center - Cairo Opera House

New Egyptian Cinema 2016-2017
Sheikh Jackson | Thursday, November 23, 12:00 PM at the Small Theatre - Cairo Opera House
Before the Summer Crowds | Sunday, November 26, 09:00 PM at the Open Air Theatre - Cairo Opera House
Egyptian Jeanne d'Arc |Saturday, November 25, 12:00 PM at the Small Theatre - Cairo Opera House
Ali, The Goat and Ibrahim |Tuesday, November 28, 12:00 PM at the Small Theatre - Cairo Opera House
A Day For Women | Wednesday, November 29, 12:00 PM at the Small Theatre - Cairo Opera House