MAD Solutions has snapped Arab world distribution rights for the Muayad Alayan's debut narrative Love, Theft and Other Entanglements. Happening in parallel with the film's participation at Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF), the Palestinian title has recently landed strong presence at Berlin International Film Festival and Seattle International Film Festival where it earned raves from critics and crowds.

Commenting on the company's acquisition, Alaa Karkouti, CEO and Co-founder of MAD Solutions remarked, "The wide acclaim received by Love, Theft and Other Entanglements at Berlinale and Seattle festivals is a testimony that this Palestinian title is one of those few Arab films that highlight sensitive issues with a twist of spontaneity and comedy; a strong reason that made us at MAD seek after a distribution agreement to bring this impressive film to the Arab audiences."

Director Muayad Alayan and his brother Rami the producer of the film commented "We are extremely happy to partner with MAD Solutions. The work that MAD is doing to develop and sustain Arab cinema is very critical to the art and film culture in the region. We are proud to collaborate with them on our current film and look forward to more collaboration in the future."

Love, Theft and Other Entanglements has screened during Cinema of Our Time section in VIFF
(24 September - 9 October). With a selection of works from more than 30 countries encompassing a roster of award-winning films, Cinema of Our Time section is the place to see the very best films from the leading auteurs, award winners from the most prestigious film festivals such as Cannes and Berlin, and exclusive premieres of some of the most highly anticipated features that will hit cinemas next year.

The film had its world premiere in the Panorama section at the Berlin International Film Festival, contending on the Best First Feature award there as well as at Seattle International Film Festivals, USA, Taipei Film Festival, Taiwan and Galway Film Fleadh, Ireland.

Since its world premiere earlier this year, the film has won plaudits for its director Alayan from film critics and experts worldwide. In his article in Screen Daily, film critic Jonathan Romney wrote, "Alayan achieves a very palpable documentary evocation of everyday Palestinian life, all in crisp, finely textured images."

While Deborah Young wrote in Hollywood Reporter "Beautifully filmed in black and white in a knowing retro style flashing on the fifties and sixties, with a bit of French new wave thrown in."

Also, Sean Williams wrote in The National "This film is an exciting departure from Palestine's recent cinematic history."

Love, Theft and Other Entanglements tells the story of Mousa who gets into the trouble of his life when he steals the wrong car. What he thought was an Israeli car and an easy way to make money in his impoverished Palestinian refugee camp turns out to be a load of misfortune when he discovers a kidnapped Israeli soldier in the trunk.

Love, Theft and Other Entanglements is Muayad Alayan's feature debut. Alayan is also the director, DOP, co-writer and co-producer of the film in collaboration with Rami Alayan through PalCine Productions. The film stars Sami Metwasi, Maya Abu Alhayyat, Ramzi Maqdisi, Riyad Sliman, Kamel Elbasha and Hussein Nakhleh. MAD Solutions is Arab world distributor of the film.

Muayad Alayan is a Palestinian film director and cinematographer based in Jerusalem. After completing his studies in San Francisco and being part of its grassroots filmmaking culture, Alayan returned to Palestine with the goal of making organic cinema by and about Palestinians as a community; a cinema made through the participation of people coming together to tell stories, against all odds and with means that creatively defy limitations.

At the age of 22, Alayan tested his vision with his first narrative short, Lesh Sabreen?, which was made with the participation of youth and young adults in his home village and focused on their experiences and concerns as youth living in Jerusalem and under occupation. The film was premiered in competition at the prestigious Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival in France in 2009 and went on to compete at several other prestigious festivals such as Annual Palm Springs International ShortFest and Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF), in addition to over 60 other festivals in 25 countries worldwide.