THE SEA AHEAD Continues Screening at Zawya Cinema for the 2nd Consecutive Week

release date June 20 2022

As part of the 5th edition of Cairo Cinema Days (May 25-June 21), THE SEA AHEAD, by Ely Dagher, continues screening for the 2nd week in a row at Zawya cinema. The screenings will be on: Tuesday, June 21 at 4:00 PM; Thursday, June 23, at 4:00 PM and Sunday at 1:00 PM. The film was well-recieved in previous screenings at Zawya Cinema.

THE SEA AHEAD, had a successful commercial release at several countries, including UAE, France and Belgium and was widely praised by Arab and Internatational press. “ THE SEA AHEAD... is a black artistic diamond,” wrote Josephine Habashy in Nidaalwatan news outlet. “Ely Dagher narrates with his camera the story of a generation having an existential crisis,” wrote Hovic Habishian in Independent Arabia. “ “Ely Dagher’s striking first feature is a poetic look at a woman who returns home, finding a city she no longer recognises,” wrote Wendy Ide via Screen Daily.

THE SEA AHEAD, landed its world premiere at the 74th Cannes Film Festival’s Directors’ Fortnight. Furthermore, THE SEA AHEAD is Ely Dagher’s first feature film who previously won the Palme d’Or award for a short film, making him the first Lebanese film to ever receive such an award.

On another note, THE SEA AHEAD, screened at several international film festivals, including BFI London Film Festival, Sao Paulo Film Festival (SPFF), El Gouna Film Festival, Duhok International Film Festival, Festival International du Film Francophone de Namur, International Festival of Mediterranean Cinema in Montpellier (CINEMED) and Red Sea International Film Festival.

‘THE SEA AHEAD,’ has garnered multiple awards throughout its development including Best Film in Post-production at the Final Cut In Venice workshop; CineGouna platform’s award for best project in development phase; and a financial award from Drosos Foundation, in addition to grants from AFAC-Arab Funds For Arts and Culture, Doha Film Institute, Red Sea Fund among others.

The film follows Jana, who returns to Beirut after having been away for a long time. Suddenly, she finds herself reconnecting with the familiar yet strange life she had once left behind.

Directed and written by Ely Dagher, ‘The Sea Ahead,’ is his first feature debut, stars Manal Issa, Yara Abou Haidar, Rabih El Zaher and Roger Azar. The film is produced by Andolfi Production (Arnaud Dommerc), in association with Beachside, and co-produced by Abbout Productions (Myriam Sassine); Wrong Men and Beaver and Beaver. The film is distributed in the Arab world by MAD Solutions.

Beirut based Ely Dagher graduated with an MA in Contemporary Art Studies and New media from Goldsmiths College in London. His work explores the correlation and possibilities created through the play between cultures, histories and fiction.