Five films supported by AFAC will set sail to Venice this August, holding their world premieres in the various sections of the Venice International Film Festival 2024.
Premiering in the festival’s prestigious Critics’ Week section is Egyptian filmmaker Muhammed Hamdy’s film “Perfumed with Mint”, which follows a band of old friends reuniting in a nightmare, lurking in their city’s remains.
From Tunisia, Hind Meddeb’s documentary film “Sudan, Remember Us” will hold its premiere in the festival’s Giornate degli Autori section. The film gives voice to the countless unnamed revolutionaries who risked their lives to challenge military dictatorship and achieve their dreams of freedom, equality and change.
Another Tunisian film, “Aicha” by Mehdi Barsaoui, follows 28-year old Aya who, after miraculously surviving a bus accident, seizes this chance for a new start, faking her own death and leaving everything behind – her family, her past, her old wounds – to seek freedom. “Aicha” will hold its world premiere in the festival’s Orizzonti section.
The Orizzonti section of the festival will also see the participation of “Happy Holidays”, by Palestinian director Scandar Copti. In the film, four intertwining stories bring the impossible and tragic realities of rival characters that are shaped by their everyday interactions with each other; each with their different values, expectations, norms, and oppressing forces - men and women, mothers and daughters, fathers and sons.
On its part, “Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo”, Egyptian director Khaled Mansour’s debut feature, will premiere in the festival’s Orizzonti Extra section. In the film, Hassan embarks on a journey to save Rambo, his dog and only friend from an unclear threat. Along the way, Hassan gets caught up in a dangerous situation and is suddenly faced with much more than saving his dog as his neighbor and society turn on him. But Hassan’s biggest hurdle comes in facing his own fears and turning inward.
To check the full program and screening schedule, visit the festival’s official website.