As a cinephile with a penchant for timeless classics and a soft spot for the golden era of Egyptian cinema, I am absolutely thrilled about this year’s Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF) lineup! The inclusion of Michael Mann’s masterpiece, Heat, is simply the cherry on top. This film redefined the crime genre with its intricate narrative and electrifying performances by the legendary Robert De Niro and Al Pacino – a must-watch on the big screen, the way it was intended.
This year’s Treasures selection at the Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia features four movies showcasing enduring cinematic masterpieces. Among them is “Heat,” a gripping crime thriller directed by Michael Mann and starring acting greats like Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Tom Sizemore, Jon Voight, and Val Kilmer.
The movie is scheduled to be displayed together with three carefully restored films, which have been collaboratively produced with the Egyptian Media Production City, according to festival organizers on Monday.
The organizers stated that “Heat” significantly transformed the genre through its complex storyline and captivating portrayals by Robert De Niro and Al Pacino.
They mentioned that the festival is featuring two movies: ‘Bread and Salt’ by Hussein Fawzi, starring Mona Zaki – an esteemed Egyptian film legend and RSIFF honoree, directed by Sherif Arafa, and ‘Shafila and Metwali’ by Ali Badrakhan, which was personally selected by Mona Zaki. Furthermore, the festival is also showcasing other works from new Egyptian directors as part of its diverse programming. The goal here is to celebrate Egypt’s cinematic legacy, which has influenced numerous filmmakers, and at the same time, highlight the ongoing dynamism and vitality in Egyptian cinema. To achieve this, they are restoring three cinematic masterpieces as part of their mission.
Antoine Khalife, head of the Arab Program and Film Classics, expressed his pride: “Given our emphasis on Egyptian cinema this year, we are especially pleased to feature a collection of Egyptian masterpieces within our Treasures category. These films offer a captivating glimpse into Egypt’s rich cinematic history. Notably, female producers and actresses have been pivotal players in Egyptian cinema throughout its history. Three beautifully restored films in our lineup highlight the brilliance of stars like Naema Akef, Souad Hosny, Mona Zaki, and Leila Eloui, while showcasing their remarkable talent under the direction of esteemed filmmakers.
He also mentioned, “In order to maintain the heat, let’s carry on presenting one of the best police thrillers ever made to Saudi viewers, so they can enjoy timeless classics on the big screen, just as the directors intended.
Here is the lineup of the 2024 RSIFF Treasures program:
BREAD AND SALT
Hussein Fawzi
1) Both Buthaina and Saber reside within the community known as “Bread and Salt.” While at work for Bahjat Bey, Buthaina departs from this neighborhood, but upon her father’s passing, she returns. Upon her return, Haji Bhansi assumes responsibility for her care. However, Buthaina starts to stray from the community’s customs, leading Saber to critique her behavior. Regrettably, circumstances force Buthaina to abandon the lane and seek employment at a nightclub.
HEAT
Michael Mann
A dogged L.A. investigator pursues a relentless, merciless burglar, yet one might wonder if their tenacious natures aren’t more similar than dissimilar.
SMILE THE PHOTO COMES OUT BETTER
Sherif Arafa
Sayed Gharib, a photographer, leaves his small town behind to settle near Cairo, drawn by the proximity to Qasr Al-Aini Medical School where his daughter Tahani is studying. At university, Tahani finds herself at odds with the upper-class society and enters into a romantic affair with Tarek Ezz El-Din’s son.
SHAFIKA AND METWALI
Ali Badrakhan
Upon returning from work on the Suez Canal, Metwalli finds his sister involved in an embarrassing relationship with the local chief’s son.
The 4th installment of the Red Sea International Film Festival is scheduled to take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from December 5th to December 14th, 2024.
The Festival is backed by Primary Supporters: Visit Saudi, MBC, and Mohamad Yusuf AlNaghi; Official Supporters include Film AlUla, SRMG, Chopard, SAUDIA, and TikTok; Strategic Supporters of the Red Sea Bazaar are NEOM and Cultural Development Fund; and Additional Support is provided by Nova, Mermaid, and Telfaz.
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2024-11-18 14:54