The region’s film industry is continuing to make waves (and ride those waves) internationally, with an impressive showing at this year’s Toronto Film Festival.
The 48th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF, for those in a hurry) kicked off last week (September 7), screening more than 200 films from across the world during the 10-day event.
While the Arab world accounts for nine films in competition, there is one that stands out as a potential big winner this year, Hajjan. Directed by Abu Bakr Shawky, the Egyptian-Austrian filmmaker was previously nominated for the Cannes Film Festival’s highest award, the Palme d’Or, in 2018 for his film, Yomeddine.
Hyped as an impressive coming-of-age story, according to Shawky, Hajjan is “an adventure that captures the deep connection between a young rider and his renegade camel.” Early reports from the screenings have been hugely positive – which bodes well for a wider release later this year, should it find a home with a major studio.
As the Middle East continues to develop its cinematic prowess, emerging talent coupled with authentic storytelling has turned the region into the new kid on the block – everyone is eager to see what they’ve come to play with.
Here are some of the other Arabic films showing at TIFF that deserve all of our hype.
Four Daughters
Blending documentary and drama, female Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania’s Four Daughters already has an impressive 94% on Rotten Tomatoes. Oscar nominated for her 2020 film, The Man Who Sold His Skin, her new family docu-drama tells the story of a Tunisian mother who loses her four daughters, and was nominated for the Palme d’Or back in May. Screened at TIFF in the Special Presentations programme, we’ve been advised to bring some tissues because it’s supposed to be a tear jerker.
Inshallah A Boy
The debut feature from filmmaker Amjad Al Rasheed, the film made history as the first Jordanian picture to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. Inshallah A Boy tells the story of a woman who struggles to overcome poverty after the abrupt death of her husband, and it already has a whopping 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. Not bad for a debut.
Mandoob
Saudi Arabian YouTuber turned filmmaker, Ali Kalthami, makes his cinematic debut with the crime-comedy, Mandoob, which instantly created a fervent buzz at this year’s TIFF. Determined to “present our lives as we really live them,” Kalthami’s film exposes the darker side of his hometown, Riyadh. Produced by Saudi production house, Telfaz11, Mandoob tells the story of a desperate man who resorts to bootlegging in hopes of saving his ailing father.
