MAD Solutions drops NEZOUH’s MENA poster ahead of its commercial release in the Arab world

release date August 13 2023

MAD Solutions recently released the official MENA poster for Soudade Kaadan’s Syrian drama NEZOUH ahead of its upcoming commercial release in the Middle East.

The poster features Kinda Alloush’s Hala and Samer Al-Masri’s Motaz, with Hala Zein as the 14-year-old Zeina appearing in the background, gazing at the horizon and in wonder of what the family’s future holds. Meanwhile, the backdrop of the poster resembles a starry night, adding a touch of enchantment to the composition.

Starring Alloush, Zein, Al-Masri, and Nizar Alani, NEZOUH held its world premiere at the 79th edition of the Venice Film Festival’s Orizzonti Extra Competition, where it nabbed the Audience Award presented by Armani Beauty — the festival's main sponsor — making it the first Arab film to receive it.

It also received the Lanterna Magica Award, which was presented by Cinecircoli Giovanili Socioculturali, completing director Soudade Kaadan's hattrick from Venice, which started when her first film, THE DAY I LOST MY SHADOW, was awarded the Lion of the Future Award at the Orizzonti Competition.

The film takes place during the Syrian conflict, when a missile destroys the ceiling of the house of 14-year-old Zeina. As a result, she sleeps for the first time under the stars and makes friends with Amer — the boy next door.

When the violence escalates, Hala — Zeina's mother — decides to leave, getting into an argument with her husband, Motaz, who refuses to become a refugee and tries everything to stop his family from leaving their house.

MAD Solutions is managing the film's distribution in the Arab world, while mk2 films is handling the film's worldwide sales. Moreover, it is being distributed in France by Pyramide and financed through FILM4, BFI, and Stars Collective.

Born in France, Soudade Kaadan is a Syrian director who studied theater criticism at the Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts and graduated from the Institut des Etudes Scénique, Audiovisuelles, et Cinématographiques of Saint Joseph University in Lebanon. Aside from NEZOUH and her debut feature THE DAY I LOST MY SHADOW, she also directed two shorts — AZIZA and TWO CITIES AND A PRISON.