MAD Solutions has released the official trailer for Mehdi Hmili’s gripping workplace thriller EXILE, ahead of its Arab World premiere in the International Competition of the 46th Cairo International Film Festival, taking place from November 12th to 21st.
 
With poetic imagery of the protagonist walking alone through a sun-drenched field, the teaser for “Exile” offers a glimpse into human solitude and the search for identity. The tension builds as he reaches the factory where he works, until a sudden explosion shatters the silence, raising questions about fate and belonging.
 
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The film already had its world premiere to thunderous applause at the 78th Locarno Film Festival, before embarking on a tour of prestigious festivals, including the Festival International du Film Francophone de Namur (FIFF) and the Festival International du Cinéma Méditerranéen de Montpellier (CINEMED).
 
A co-production between Tunisia, Luxembourg, France, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, EXILE follows Mohamed, a steel factory worker who survives a devastating explosion that leaves a slowly rusting piece of metal embedded in his head. Reassigned as a security guard and marginalized by the system, Mohamed embarks on a harrowing journey of revenge that unravels a deeper conspiracy — all while his physical condition deteriorates.
 
Produced by Moufida Fedhila under Yol Film House (Tunisia), Mehdi Hmili, Donato Rotunno of Tarantula (Luxembourg), and Michel Balagué under Volte Film (France), EXILE features a stellar cast, including Ghanem Zrelli, Maram Ben Aziza, Slim Baccar, Younes Farhi, Mohamed Kolsi, and Mourad Gharsalli. The film’s cinematography is by Farouk Laaridha, with editing by Rawchen Mizouri and an original score by Amélie Legrand.
 
The Red Sea Film Festival Foundation and the Doha Film Institute are co-producing the film, with MAD World responsible for worldwide sales and MAD Distribution overseeing its distribution throughout the Arab World.
 
The project received support from CNC Tunisia, CNC France, the Luxembourg Film Fund, the Doha Film Institute, the Francophone Image Fund, La Fabrique Cinéma at Cannes, the Red Sea Fund, the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture, and France TV. It also garnered four prestigious awards from the CineGouna platform at the El Gouna Film Festival.
 
Mehdi Hmili is a Tunisian director, screenwriter, and producer whose bold and compelling films have garnered international acclaim. In France, he directed a critically praised black-and-white trilogy exploring themes of love and exile: X-MOMENT (2009), LI-LA (2011), and THE NIGHT OF BADR (2012).
 
He directed and co-produced STREAMS (2021), which had its world premiere at the 74th Locarno Film Festival. The film received widespread praise and won numerous awards, including Best Actress at the Cairo International Film Festival, Best Director at the Malmö Arab Film Festival, the Jury Prize at the Kolkata International Film Festival, and the Special Jury Prize at the Plurielles Festival in France. Released theatrically in Tunisia, France, and Luxembourg,
STREAMS was later acquired by Netflix, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Canal+ VOD.
 
Mehdi Hmili has also served as a jury member, consultant, and mentor at various festivals across Europe and the Arab world, including the Amman International Film Festival.
 
An alumnus of the prestigious Torino Film Lab and Film Independent’s Global Media Makers program, he is also the showrunner of ALL ABOUT ADAM, a true-story-based series supported by the Series Lab of the Doha Film Institute. As a prominent figure in Tunisia’s cinematic new wave, Hmili continues to champion bold storytelling that resonates globally.