7 Arab Films To Watch Out For At The Venice Film Festival 2024

A s the 81st Venice Film Festival gets under way with the premiere of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the Hollywood royalty and the elitist world of cinematography from all corners of the globe come together to toast to the greatest producers of cinema. Among such pioneers of the film industry is also some outstanding talent from the Arab world that you must not miss this autumn when they make their debut at the festival. Here are seven films you simply must watch:

1. Aïcha by Mehdi Barsaoui
Aïcha by Tunisian director Mehdi Barsaoui comes this touching narrative of a Tunisian woman wishing to flee her life and find a new beginning. He comes with great storytelling ability. He previously attracted critical acclaim by A Son, which recently had a nomination in Venice Film Festival 2019. In this film, a woman takes the audience through her adventure journey after changing her identity and encountering unprecedented danger due to this process. Now, she is adapting to the repercussions of a police mistake; thus, she is experiencing unforeseen dangers while taking on grit and resilience. Aïcha, which explores questions about liberty and censorship, is also included in the "Horizons" category of Venice Film Festival 2024.

2. Finding a Safe Harbour for Mr. Rambo by Khaled Mansour
The sugar drama from the young Egyptian director Khaled Mansour tells the story of 30-year-old Hassan, a journey of self-discovery passing through Cairo streets. It is after his dog, Rambo, kills a neighbor that Hassan begins his journey in search of a safe haven for his companion. As he navigates through the dangerous underdeveloped neighborhood, he also struggles with inner conflicts. This is Egypt's comeback to the Venice Film Festival after a 12-year gap, and the film appears as part of the "Horizons Extra."

3. Maroun Returns to Beirut by Feyrouz Serhal
One of the gems of cinema, Feyrouz Serhal's film traces the life of one of the legends of Lebanese cinema in the making of many films from 1973 till 1993. In celebration of his death's 30th year, Serhal delves into Maroun Baghdadi's intimate conversations as they walk around the city that marked his career. The movie contemplates the past, present, and future concerning Lebanon, providing insight into the way cinema itself can have an impact on the world. Maroun Returns to Beirut is being included in the "Venice Classics" category for screening.

4. Happy Holidays by Scandar Copti
Israeli Oscar-nominated director Scandar Copti will lift the veils and miseries of one family in Happy Holidays. The drama weaves through interpersonal conflict and social divide as it runs in today's Jerusalem. An award winner of this same festival in 2009 at the Cannes Film Festival, Copti joins the "Horizons" nominees.

5. Shadows by Rand Beiruty
Jordanian director Rand Beiruty enters the tale of a young refugee struggling with the courage to leave home in the short film Shadows. Beiruty, who recently won a nomination at the Thessaloniki Documentary Film Festival 2024 for her Tell Them About Us, has certainly proved talent at really important themes, visually portrayed. Shadows competes in the "Horizons Short Film Competition."

6. Sudan, Remember Us by Hind Meddeb
The French-Tunisian-Moroccan director Hind Meddeb has signed her emotional documentary Sudan, Remember Us, centered around the spirit of young Sudanese activists. The movie promises to be a deep insight into the issues of Sudan and is scheduled to see its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival on August 30.

7. Perfumed With Mint by Muhammed Hamdy
From Emmy Award-winning cinematographer now turned director Muhammed Hamdy comes Perfumed With Mint. It is a story of two old friends haunted by memories of the past as they take refuge in the crumbling streets of Cairo. In this strange phenomenon where it rears its ugly head, a way out is what the two friends seek. It would be a perilous, uncertain journey. This creative foray into the complexities of Egypt has been nominated for "Independent Sections: International Critics' Week."

These are films that mirror the rich tapestry of Arab storytelling and cinematic artistry as they unfold this autumn at the festival.