Italian
Viola Davis to be honored at the 2023 Red Sea Film Festival
Hollywood icon to hold a master class amidst regional cinematic celebration
The 2023 Red Sea Film Festival, set against the breathtaking backdrop of Jeddah’s coastline from December 6-14, promises a blend of stellar cinematic gems and significant cultural events. This year, the festival will honor the illustrious Viola Davis, an Academy Award winner and four-time nominee, recognizing her monumental contributions to the world of film. In addition to receiving this prestigious accolade, Davis will also conduct a master class, offering insights and drawing from her remarkable career journey.
A grand opening with “The Tale of Daye’s Family”
To kick off its fourth edition, the festival will feature the world premiere of “The Tale of Daye’s Family”, a moving musical drama directed by Egyptian filmmaker Karim Shenawy. This film narrates the story of an 11-year-old Nubian albino boy with a mesmerizing voice who faces adversity due to his unusual appearance. According to the organizers, the film is a poignant representation of the regional cinematic evolution, emphasizing collaboration between Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
Celebrating Regional Talents: Honoring Mona Zaki
The festival’s emphasis on celebrating Saudi and regional cinema continues with a tribute to Egyptian star Mona Zaki. Known for portraying strong female characters, Zaki stars in “Flight 404”, a gripping tale of female empowerment. The thriller follows her character as she navigates a tainted past that resurfaces just as she embarks on a pilgrimage to Mecca.
A rich tapestry of international premieres
Spanning 80 countries, nearly half of this year’s selections are world or international premieres, showcasing an eclectic range of voices and narratives. Noteworthy films include:
- Denise Fernandes’ “Hanami”, a magical realism coming-of-age story from Cape Verde.
- Maksud Hossain’s “Saba”, focusing on a young woman caring for her paraplegic mother in Dhaka.
Diverse showcase: Regional and global narratives
The festival isn’t just limited to regional talents. Among the 16 titles in competition, there are standout features like:
- “Inshallah a Boy” by Jordanian newcomer Amjad Al Rasheed, tackling archaic patriarchal inheritance laws.
- “Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo”, an Egyptian film by Khaled Mansour about a young man facing his fears.
Other notable entries include Mahdi Fleifel’s “To a Land Unknown” and Lotfi Achour’s “Red Path”, depicting the wounded psyche of a young shepherd. Boldly addressing issues of banned religious sermons, Wael Abu Mansour’s “Saify” continues to push the cultural boundaries of the region.
Closing highlights: Spotlight on renowned figures
The festival will culminate with two high-profile gala screenings:
- “Better Man”, directed by Michael Gracey, offers an intimate look at British pop star Robbie Williams. While it remains unconfirmed, there is anticipation that Williams may attend the screening.
- Johnny Depp’s biopic of Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani, “Modi – Three Days on the Wing of Madness”, also produced under the festival’s parent organization, the Red Sea Foundation. Depp, who attended the fest last year, brings his unique storytelling to this cinematic piece.
Embracing the historic charm of Al-Balad
This year, the Red Sea Film Festival will revisit its roots by moving back to the historic district of Al-Balad, a UNESCO World Heritage site, from the Ritz Carlton Hotel. This shift underscores the festival’s commitment to honoring tradition while celebrating contemporary cinematic brilliance.
Complete list of competition titles
Below is the comprehensive list of films in competition at this year’s festival:
- “Superboys of Malegaon,” Reema Kagti (India)
- “Hanami,” Denise Fernandes (Switzerland, Portugal, Cape Verde)
- “To a Land Unknown,” Mahdi Fleifel (Greece-Denmark-UK-Netherlands)
- “Moon,” Kurdwin Ayub (Austria)
- “Songs of Adam,” Oday Rasheed (Iraq)
- “Red Path” Lotfi Achour (Tunisia, France)
- “Snow White” Taghrid Abouelhassan (Egypt)
- “Bin U Bin” (“Border Elsewhere”), Mohamed Lakhdar Tati (Algeria, France)
- “Saify,” Wael Abumansour (Saudi Arabia)
- “Aïcha,” Mehdi M Barsaoui (Tunisia, France, Italy)
- “Seeking Haven for Mr Rambo,” Khaled Mansour (Egypt, Saudi Arabia)
- “Sima’s Song,” Roya Sadat (Netherlands, France)
- “6 in the Morning,” Mehran Modiri (Iran)
- “To Kill a Mongolian Horse,” Xiaoxuan Jiang (Malaysia, Hong Kong, US)
- “Saba,” Maksud Hossain (Bangladesh)
Gala screenings
- Opening Night Gala: “The Tale of Daye’s Family,” Karim Shenawi (Egypt, Saudi Arabia)
- Awards Night Gala: “Modi — Three Days on the Wing of Madness,” Johnny Depp (UK, Hungary, Italy)
- Closing Night Gala: “Better Man,” Michael Gracey (Australia, US)
The Red Sea Film Festival continues to be a prestigious platform celebrating cinematic excellence, from local gems to global masterpieces. Stay tuned and share your thoughts on the upcoming selections by following our channels for updates on more exciting stories and festivals.
