The Royal Film Commission-Jordan Screens Hedi, Foreign Body and Gaza Surf Club in Amman

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Followed by a Discussion with Film Analyst Alaa Karkouti

The Royal Film Commission-Jordan Screens Hedi, Foreign Body and Gaza Surf Club in Amman


As part of its activities to further promote Arab cinema and film industry, the Royal Film Commission-Jordan (RFC) screens two Tunisian feature films; Hedi and Foreign Body on Sunday and Monday, the 23rd and 24th of April. The screenings will be followed by a discussion with Film Analyst Alaa Karkouti, CEO of MAD Solutions. On Wednesday, the 26th of April, documentary film Gaza Surf Club will be screened with the attendance of Producer and Co-director Mickey Yamine and Robert Bosch Stiftung representatives. The screenings will be held at the Rainbow Theater, in Jebel Amman.

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 Majd Mastoura, Rym Ben Messaoud, and Sabah Bouzouita.

About Foreign Body:
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, alongside Nomadis Images and Mon Voisin Productions. The film had six participations in world festivals, including the Berlinale, and it landed its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. MAD Solutions is responsible for the film's Arab world distribution.

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.

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.

The Royal Film Commission - Jordan (RFC) was established in July 2003 as a financially and administratively autonomous Jordanian public organization with a vision to develop an internationally competitive Jordanian film industry. The RFC organizes workshops, film screenings, and production services. Most recently, the RFC has received the Outstanding Film Commission Award, at the Location Managers Guild International (LMGI) Awards for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story film, marking the sole Arab Commission to receive this award.

Screening Times of Films at the Royal Film Commission - Jordan (RFC), in Rainbow Theater (GMT +3)
Hedi: Sunday, April 23 at 07:00 pm
Foreign Body: Monday, April 24 at 07:00 pm
Gaza Surf Club: Wednesday, April 26 at 07:00 pm