release date March 31 2015
The Blue Elephant Breaks Taboos at Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival
Continuing to be a cinematic-stunner at international film festivals, Marwan Hamed's The Blue Elephant vies at the 33rd Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFFF). Taking place from 7-19 April, 2015, the festival is specialized in screening horror, thriller, and science fiction films from all over the world.

On presenting the film, the festival praised Marwan Hamed's directorial effort on its official website, stating "It's not every day that you get to see an Egyptian thriller with fantastic undertones. The Blue Elephant is a rock solid cinematic ride that, in very intelligent ways, breaks lots of taboos in the Arab word. Add to that the sumptuous imagery of director Marwan Hamed and the intense performance of the ravishing Nelly Karim, and you get a highly recommended viewing experience."

The Blue Elephant's participation is supported by BIFFF and the Egyptian Embassy in Brussels.

Recently, Hamed's blockbuster The Blue Elephant has won the Grand Nile Prize for the Best Long Narrative Film at Luxor African Film Festival.

The Blue Elephant follows Yehia who returns to work in Al Abasyia Psychiatric Hospital, after spending 5 years in voluntary isolation. He works in the sector which examines the mental health of perpetrators where he has the encounter of an old friend who brings back bitter memories that he tried hard to forget, which turns his life upside down. Attempting to unravel the mysteries of his friend, Yehia embarks on a journey exploring his inner self, or the shattered remnants of it.

Directed by Marwan Hamed, The Blue Elephant is a cinematic adaptation of Ahmed Mourad's celebrated best seller of the same name which was released in 2012 and was included on the Man Booker Prize 2012 shortlist.

The Blue Elephant stars Karim Abdelaziz, Khaled Elsawy, Nelly Karim and veteran Lebleba.

Last month, the blockbuster hit The Blue Elephant has stolen the scene at the 41st Egyptian Film Association Festival earning Marwan Hamed the Best Director and the Best Film awards. The film scooped 9 awards including the Best Actor award for Karim Abdel Aziz; the Best Supporting Actor award for Khaled El Sawy; Best Cinematography for Ahmed Al Morsy; Best Musical Score for Hesham Nazih; Best Production Designer for Mohamed Attia; Best Costume Design for Nahed Nasrallah. The film also received the Sami El-Salamoni's Award for Creativity and Innovation for Tarek Mostafa for his contribution to the film's visual effects.

The film is produced by Albatros Film Production and Distribution, founded by Producer Kamel Abu Ali since 2003, and Lighthouse Films, which is co-founded in 2007 by Director/Producer Marwan Hamed and Fadi Fahim, in collaboration with Al Shorouk Production.
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