Producer Baho Bakhash and esteemed Palestinian director Rashid Masharawi have met today at the 15th Malmö Arab Film Festival Industry Days, which runs until May 5th, 2025, in Sweden, in order to reach an agreement on a new Arab cinematic project bringing them together, under the title « the Natives ». This announcement coincides with the 10th anniversary of the Industry Days current edition which is regarded as a celebration of collaborative creativity.
Producer Bakhash stated, « It is the first project between Red Star and director Rashid Masharawi in a work that is written and directed by him. It will be a special Palestinian-Egyptian-Jordanian production reflecting the absurd consequences of the Palestinian situation in a satirical style, as well as a touch of black comedy. Full details will be announced shortly ».
She added, « MAFF Industry Days have become a bridge connecting filmmakers from various cultures, creating new creative opportunities and collaborative films that achieved significant global success. Thus, it is important to announce our new project with esteemed director Rashid Masharawi in the Arab cinema capital in Europe in order to proceed our artistic and cultural dialogue ».
Director Masharawi noted, « I was pleased with the announcement of this project through a platform for Arab cinematic exchange and collaboration in Malmö. Visions converge and ideas are embodied in new and special ways. In my opinion, ‘the Natives’ is a special cinematic experience. I attempt to reflect on the new and old Palestinian situations and recount events from new dimensions through a compelling cinematic presentation blending cynical humor, depth and simplicity ».
Masharawi added, « The primary motivation to write this story stemmed from the urgent need to consider the meaning of a person’s loss of place, instead of only replacing a certain place. Indeed, it is an experience that sheds light on the diaspora of the soul, feeling and memory ».
