A scoop by Variety magazine reveals MAD Solutions' latest updates on its Arab-European co-production plans, which successfully resulted in placing two Arab stars in international films. MAD has recently announced its co-production of the sci-fi/romantic film South of Hope Street by Jane Spencer, and starring Tunisian star Dhaffer L'Abidine. Variety's scoop comes from following the company's activities, which will be under the umbrella of Arab Cinema Center (ACC) at the 69th Cannes Film Festival.

South of Hope Street is MAD Solutions' second step towards its co-production with both European companies and filmmakers. In 2015, the company has marked the first Luxembourg/Arab co-production of the feature narrative Sawah by director Adolf El Assal, written by Dennis Foon, and starring Egyptian actor Ahmad Al Fishawy.

Previously, Arab Cinema Center (ACC) revealed its year-round partnership with Variety magazine as the Center's media partner; in addition to a digital partnership with Festival Scope and a technology sponsorship with Striim.in to promote ACC's events in 2016. The Center also launched a magazine during the 69th Cannes Film Festival, which is regarded as the first English-language publication of its kind specialized in Arab cinema and designed to address international film markets.

About South of Hope Street

A science fiction/love story that follows a strange, unexplained event in the sky. Only Denise, Tarak, Tom, and those who are thought of as strange or unwanted seem to notice or care about it. But they are voiceless, and while it just keeps getting stranger and more beautiful in the sky, even as below on the ground, it gets more and more what is unfortunately called, normal.

South of Hope Street stars a number of international stars including, Dhaffer L'Abidine (A Hologram for the King), Tanna Frederick (Irene in Time, The M Word, Ovation), Hilmir Snær Guðnason (101 Reykjavik, The Sea), Michael Madsen (Reservoir Dogs, Kill Bill, The Hateful Eight), and Katie Boland
(Born to be Blue). Written and directed by Jane Spencer, South of Hope Street is edited by Patricia Rommel (In the Land of Blood and Honey, By the Sea). The film is a co-production between by Marina Cordoni (MCE Entertainment), Svein Andersen (Film Camp), WARD9 Productions and Deborah Gilels
(LA Media Consultants). MAD Solutions also contributes in the production in collaboration with Maja Wieser (Echo Film) and Joachim Lyng (Sweet Films).

About Sawah

Sawah is a musical comedy happening during the Egyptian revolution, when Samir, a peaceful vegetarian DJ, leaves Cairo to play the gig of a lifetime in Berlin. Alongside Ahmad Al-Fishawy, the film stars Luxembourgian actress Désirée Nosbusch, along with the renowned Egyptian singer Mohamed Mounir, who will also sing the film's theme song.

During the first MAFF Market Forum of 5th Malmo Arab Film Festival in Sweden, MAD Solutions
together with The Producers have pacted with Wady Films to co-produce the feature narrative Sawah, marking the first Luxembourg/Arab co-production.

About Arab Cinema Center (ACC)

Arab Cinema Center (ACC) is operating as an international promotional platform for Arab cinema as it provides Arab filmmakers with a professional window to connect with filmmakers from all over the world through a number of events that it organizes and provides networking opportunities with representatives of companies and institutions specialized in co-production and international distribution, among others.

The Center's activities vary between Film Market main wings, introduction sessions for Arab and foreign filmmakers, welcome parties, meetings with international organizations and festivals, in addition to releasing an ACC guide to be distributed among the Film Market visitors.