Films financed by the Red Sea will be showcased at the 2025 Locarno Film Festival, ready to dazzle audiences.
The 2023 Locarno Film Festival, set to take place in Switzerland from August 6-16, will feature three films supported by the Red Sea Film Foundation. These films, which are yet to reveal the total number of productions to be shown at the event, are set to make a significant impact in regional cinema.
One of the films is "Irkalla – Gilgamesh's Dream", directed by Iraqi filmmaker Mohamed Al-Daradji. This film reimagines the ancient Epic of Gilgamesh in a contemporary setting. The story follows a street kid with diabetes who tries to persuade his tough best friend, depicted as the legendary Gilgamesh, to take him to the underworld Arkala.
Another film to be showcased is "Becoming", directed by Kazakh director Zhannat Alshanova. The film explores the journey of a young woman as she grapples with identity and independence in modern-day Kazakhstan.
The third film, "Exile", is a powerful portrayal of displacement and belonging. Directed by Tunisian filmmaker Mehdi Hmili, the story takes place in the biggest steel factory of Tunisia, where four workers, haunted by the loss of a colleague, struggle with psychological and physical disorders amidst social and political tension.
The Red Sea Film Foundation, which has previously supported "Irkalla – Gilgamesh's Dream", "Becoming", and "Exile", aims to champion bold new voices from the Arab world and beyond. The selection of these films at the Locarno Film Festival is celebrated as a milestone moment for regional cinema by the Red Sea Film Foundation.
While the exact nature of the support provided to these films by the Red Sea Film Foundation remains undisclosed, it is known that the organisation provides aid through either the Red Sea Fund or the Red Sea Souk. These initiatives are designed to support and promote fresh talent in the film industry.
These compelling films promise to bring unique perspectives and powerful narratives to the Locarno Film Festival, offering audiences a diverse and thought-provoking cinematic experience.
- The middle of the world cinematic stage will witness the impact of three movies financed by the Red Sea Film Foundation during the 2023 Locarno Film Festival.
- In the realm of entertainment, the contemporary retelling of the Epic of Gilgamesh, "Irkalla – Gilgamesh's Dream", offers a blend of middle eastern culture and lifestyle, while the journey of self-discovery portrayed in "Becoming" gives a glimpse into modern-day Kazakhstan's art and identity.
- The global news sphere will keenly follow the portrayal of displacement in the steel factory setting of "Exile", a Tunisian production that weaves psychological struggles with social and political issues, adding another layer to the diversity of movies-and-tv at the Locarno Film Festival.
