THIS YEAR’S TREASURES SELECTION INCLUDES FOUR CLASSIC FILMS
The Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF) has revealed the selections for this year’s Treasures strand, showcasing four timeless classics, including a masterpiece by Michael Mann, alongside three meticulously restored works in collaboration with Egyptian Media Production City.
The Red Sea: Treasures programme will present a selection of unmissable gems including classics from Egyptian filmmakers. Among the selections is Michael Mann’s HEAT, a seminal crime thriller that redefined the genre with its intricate narrative and electrifying performances by Robert De Niro and Al Pacino. With Hussein Fawzi’s BREAD AND SALT, SMILE THE PHOTO COMES OUT BETTER starring the RSIFF Honouree and Egyptian film legend Mona Zaki and directed by Sherif Arafa, and Ali Badrakhan’s SHAFIKA AND METWALI, personally selected by Mona Zaki, the Festival is honouring Egypt’s rich cinematic legacy that has inspired generations of directors, alongside new Egyptian voices and projects across other programming strands. The festival is continuing its mission to highlight the great heritage of Arab cinema through the restoration of these three masterpieces, in parallel with the dynamism and vitality experienced by Egyptian cinema.
Antoine Khalife, Director of Arab Programme and Film Classics, said: “In keeping with our focus on Egyptian cinema throughout our programming this year, we’re particularly proud to be showcasing a selection of Egyptian masterpieces in our Treasures strand that showcase the incredible history of film from this country. Female producers and actresses have always played a fundamental role in Egyptian cinema, and through these three restored films, we can see stars like Naema Akef, Souad Hosny, Mona Zaki and Leila Eloui in all their splendor, directed by great filmmakers in roles showing the extent of their performance. Then to have Heat, one of the greatest police thrillers of all time continue our efforts to show Saudi audiences all-time classics on the big screen, the way directors intended.”
Red Sea International Film Festival – Treasures:
BREAD AND SALT
Hussein Fawzi
Both Buthaina and Saber live in the neighborhood of “Bread and Salt”, which Buthaina leaves when she goes to work for Bahjat Bey, but returns to after her father dies. Following her return Haji Bhansi takes care of her but Buthaina begins to take a wrong path, different from the ways of the neighborhood. She loves Saber who begins to criticize her actions, but she’s forced to flee the lane and work in a nightclub.
HEAT
Michael Mann
An obsessive Los Angeles detective hunts down an obsessive ruthless thief, but are they really that different?
SMILE THE PHOTO COMES OUT BETTER
Sherif Arafa
Sayed Gharib, a photographer, migrates from his hometown to Cairo in search of a place close to Qasr Al-Aini Medical School, where his daughter Tahani has enrolled. At university, Tahani, the daughter, clashes with the aristocratic society and develops a romantic relationship with the son of businessman Tarek Ezz El-Din.
SHAFIKA AND METWALI
Ali Badrakhan
When Metwalli returns from working on the Suez Canal, he discovers his sister in a shameful liaison with the district chief’s son.
The fourth edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival will run in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from December 5th – 14th 2024.
The Festival is supported by Principal Sponsors: Visit Saudi, MBC, and Genesis Mohamad Yusuf AlNaghi; Official Sponsors: Film AlUla, SRMG, Chopard, SAUDIA, and TikTok; Strategic Sponsors of the Red Sea Souk: NEOM and Cultural Development Fund; and Support Sponsors Nova, Mermaid and Telfaz.
The Red Sea International Film Festival Announces Spike Lee As President Of Jury For 2024 Edition
The Red Sea International Film Festival Adds Thierry Frémaux’s Lumière: Le Cinema To International Spectacular Line-up
