Watermelon Pictures secures North American rights for ‘To a Land Unknown’
A new chapter for Mahdi Fleifel’s acclaimed film
Chicago-based Watermelon Pictures has successfully acquired the North American distribution rights for Mahdi Fleifel’s latest film, To a Land Unknown. This Danish-Palestinian writer-director’s work premiered to significant acclaim at the Cannes Directors’ Fortnight, marking a pivotal moment in his career.
A double feature at Toronto
Represented by Salaud Morisset, To a Land Unknown had its North American premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), featured in the Centrepiece showcase. This event also highlighted another Salaud Morisset title, Under the Volcano, creating a powerful one-two punch for the distributor.
A modern homage to classic cinema
Described as channeling the spirit of Bicycle Thieves, To a Land Unknown follows the story of two cousins, Chatila and Reda. Raised in a Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon, they find themselves stranded in a bleak neighborhood in Athens. Their goal is to gather enough money for fake passports to reach Germany. However, when Reda squanders their savings on his opiate addiction, Chatila devises a risky heist plan.
Fleifel has expressed his desire to pay homage to his favorite cinema, particularly the early works of Martin Scorsese and Brian De Palma. By setting a heist thriller in Greece, he crafts a narrative where the protagonists are not necessarily the good guys, adding layers of complexity to the story.
Empathy and humanity at the forefront
Critics have praised the film for its deep empathy towards its characters. It follows in the footsteps of Italian neorealist classics like Bicycle Thieves, prioritizing the humanity of its leads. The film tests the viewer’s ability to empathize with Chatila and Reda as the stakes escalate and their crimes become more serious in their quest for a normal life.
One critic noted, “The difficulty of hanging onto your humanity when you are not being treated humanely is a core concern, expressed here with appealing spirit and fire.”
The deal and its significance
The North American distribution deal was negotiated by François Morisset, managing director of Salaud Morisset, with Watermelon’s Co-Founder Hamza Ali, Acquisitions Head Munir Atalla, and Executive VP Justin DiPietro. This partnership is seen as a significant step for both parties.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Watermelon for the North American release of To a Land Unknown,” said François Morisset. “With their expertise in handling impactful films, we are confident they will guide the release with great care and precision.”
Hamza Ali, co-founder of Watermelon Pictures, added, “Mahdi Fleifel’s film has captivated viewers and critics with his powerful storytelling and profound empathy. At Watermelon Pictures, we are committed to supporting films that resonate on a deep emotional level, and To a Land Unknown is a perfect example of this commitment.”
A collaborative production
To a Land Unknown is produced by Geoff Arbourne of the U.K.’s Inside Out Films, Fleifel’s Nakba FilmWorks, Morisset for France and Germany’s Salaud Morisset, Maria Drandaki for Greece’s Homemade Films, and Layla Meijman and Maarten van der Ven for the Netherlands’ Studio Ruba.
Watermelon Pictures: A mission-driven company
Founded by brothers Hamza Ali and Badie Ali, with Alana Hadid as Creative Director, Watermelon Pictures is deeply rooted in Palestinian culture and creativity. The company aims to produce, promote, and cultivate visionary work that educates, entertains, and inspires the world to stand up to injustice, celebrate independent voices, and imagine a shared, liberated future.
Explore more
For those interested in diving deeper into the world of To a Land Unknown, you can watch the trailer and find more information here.
This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the film To a Land Unknown, its critical reception, and the significance of its North American distribution deal. By exploring the film’s themes, production background, and the mission of Watermelon Pictures, readers can gain a deeper understanding of this impactful cinematic work.