As a cinephile who has traversed the globe to uncover hidden gems and legendary masterpieces, I am absolutely thrilled about this year’s Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF) lineup. The inclusion of Viola Davis and Mona Zaki, two powerhouse actresses with a wealth of experience and passion for their craft, is a testament to the festival’s commitment to championing female voices in cinema.
This year’s Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia will feature accolades and performances by Viola Davis and Egyptian star Mona Zaki (known for Perfect Strangers, Flight 404, Abserb: The Squadron, and The Spider), as well as Johnny Depp’s directorial debut and a biopic about Robbie Williams. Festival organizers made the announcement on Monday.
They additionally revealed the contestant roster for the festival’s fourth round. The organizers mentioned that the entire lineup comprises of 49 world and international debuts, with six women directors included in the competitive segment as well.
15 competition titles have been announced, including Reema Kagti’s “Superboys of Malegaon,” which debuted at the Toronto Film Festival, and Kurdwin Ayub’s “Moon,” which premiered worldwide at the Locarno Film Festival and received the special jury prize.
On Monday, the RSIFF expanded its schedule by including more galas in its program. The opening night gala will feature Karim Shenawi’s film titled “The Tale of Daye’s Family“. This movie narrates the tale of an 11-year-old Nubian albino boy with a captivating voice who encounters hardships due to his distinct appearance. In the synopsis, it is stated that he has been deserted by his father and tormented by his peers. He aspires to follow in the footsteps of his hero, singer and actor Mohamed Mounir. When he gets an opportunity to audition for “The Voice“, Daye and his family embark on a treacherous journey from Aswan to Cairo.
Additionally, Johnny Depp’s film “Modi: Three Days on the Wing of Madness” is scheduled for a grand screening at an awards ceremony in Jeddah. Concurrently, the Robbie Williams biopic directed by Michael Gracey, titled “Better Man,” has been chosen as the closing night gala screening.
Earlier on, the RSIFF (River State International Film Festival) selected 12 outstanding movies for its Festival Favorites category from various film festivals. These included “Santosh”, a U.K. Oscar submission and an Indian police procedural directed by Sandhya Suri, which tells the story of two women forming an unexpected alliance. Additionally, Guan Hu’s “Black Dog” was chosen, a Chinese film that received the Un Certain Regard Prize at Cannes.
Jomana Al Rashid, chairman of the Red Sea Film Foundation, expressed that it’s particularly significant for our organization, which has always supported female filmmakers, to recognize Mona Zaki and Viola Davis – two extraordinary women in the movie industry – as our first honorees this year. They are not only brilliant actors but also fervent advocates who go beyond their professional roles.
The actresses will both discuss their careers in the fest’s “In Conversation” strand.
Davis expressed his heartfelt gratitude for being acknowledged among exceptional talents,” he said. “Being a producer who’s deeply committed to showcasing varied stories, I’m thrilled about the opportunity to work with Red Sea and expand our reach to new spectators. Together, we aim to establish a worldwide stage that fosters valuable cultural interactions.
Zaki stated, “I’ve been captivated by and appreciative of the numerous cultural milestones, especially in cinema, that have arisen in Saudi Arabia, notably through the Red Sea Film Festival. I eagerly anticipate the festival and sharing the enchantment of filmmaking with people from all over the globe.
Check out the RSIFF 2024 competition lineup below.
Red Sea Film Festival Competition
The Marvelous Lads of Malegaon(Reema Kagti)
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2024-11-11 14:24