Film Clinic returns to the 82nd Venice Film Festival with a lineup of three films in the official selection, hailing from KSA, Sudan and Algeria. The first is Shahad Ameen’s “Hijra”, featured as part of the Venice Spotlight section. This marks Ameen’s second collaboration with Film Clinic following her acclaimed debut “Scales”, which premiered at Venice. “Hijra” is a Film Clinic co-production and will be distributed in the MENA region by Film Clinic Indie Distribution. Alongside two films in the Settimana Internazionale della Critica (Venice’s Critics’ Week) selection; “Cotton Queen” the debut feature film by Sudanese-Russian director Suzannah Mirghani, following her award-winning short “Al-Sit”. A Film Clinic co-production, “Cotton Queen” will be co-distributed in the MENA region by Film Clinic Indie Distribution, and their long standing partner; MAD Solutions. And “Roqia”, written and directed by Yanis Koussim. The genre feature debut is a follow up to his award winning short “Khouya ». Film Clinic Indie Distribution will distribute the film across the MENA region.
“For the first time ever, we come to Venice on the wings of three very diverse and talented filmmakers. With two female powerhouse directors Shahad Ameen and Suzannah Mirghani behind “Hijra” and “Cotton Queen”. As for Yanis Koussim, whose film we are proud to be distributing in the region, proves that North African filmmakers can continue to elevate genre films into reaching audiences, this time via the oldest film festival in the world. If anything, all three films say a lot about the evolution of our beloved Arab cinema.” – said Film Clinic’s Founder & CEO Mohamed Hefzy.
Hijra tells the story of a grandmother traveling with her two granddaughters in 2001, from the south of Saudi Arabia to Mecca. When the older granddaughter disappears, the grandmother sets out with the younger one on a journey northward in search of her. Along the way, the film reveals the beauty of Saudi Arabia, highlighting its cultural and civilizational diversity, and its deep historical roots, through a poetic and human-centered narrative. Starring Khairiya Nazmi, Nawaf Al-Dhufairi, Lamar Feddan, and Baraa Alam.
Hijra is a co-production between Beit Ameen for Production, the Iraqi Independent Film Center, and Ideation Studios (producer Faisal Baltyour), alongside co-producers Ayman Jamal, Mohamed Alawi, and Mohamed Hefzy through Film Clinic, as well as Human Film Ali Al-Daradji and Three Arts Abboud Ayyash and Sayed Abou Haidar, Film AlUla and the Red Sea Film Festival Foundation. The project also received vital support from the Saudi Ministry of Culture through the Daw Initiative (Saudi Film Commission), as well as backing from NEOM and Ithra. Film Clinic Indie Distribution maintains the distribution rights across the Arab world with CineWaves handling distribution in Saudi Arabia. International sales are being managed by CAA.
The Sudanese feminist drama “Cotton Queen” is set in a Sudanese cotton-farming village. Where teenage Nafisa is raised on the heroic tales of battling British colonizers told by her grandmother, the village matriarch Al-Sit. But when a young businessman arrives from abroad with a new development plan and genetically engineered cotton, Nafisa becomes the center of a power play to determine the future of the village. Awakening to her own strength, Nafisa sets out to save the cotton fields — and herself. Neither she nor her community will ever be the same again.The film stars Mihad Murtada, Rabha Mohamed Mahmoud, Talaat Fareed, Haram Bisheer, Mohamed Musa, and Hassan Mohi El Din.
A co-production involving Germany’s Strange Bird GmbH, Jip Film and Verleih, and Storming Donkey Productions; France’s Maneki Films; Palestine’s Philistine Films; Egypt’s Film Clinic and MAD Solutions; Qatar; and Saudi Arabia. With MAD Solutions & Film Clinic Indie Distribution co-handling all MENA Rights. COTTON QUEEN is written and directed by Mirghani.
“Roqia” takes place within a horror framework and tells the story of Ahmed who became amnesiac following a car accident in 1993. Nowadays, an old Muslim exorcist is suffering from Alzheimer’s, under the worried eye of his disciple. As Ahmed fears regaining his memory, the disciple fears that the exorcist will lose his, bringing back an ancient evil that was chained 30 years ago. Starring Akram Djeghim, Ali Namous, and Mustapha Djadjam. Produced by Supernova Films, and 19, Mulholland Drive Production., the film is also supported by the Algerian Ministry of Arts and Culture, CNC, Algiers French Institute and the French Embassy in Algeria, Red Sea Film Fund, Arab Fund for Arts and Culture and Doha Film Institute.With distribution rights in the MENA region handled by Film Clinic Indie Distribution.
