ZABARJAD
Other movies
THE SECRET AGENT
Director: Kleber Mendonça Filho
Fasten your seatbelts: Brazil is in the throes of a military dictatorship and left-leaning academic Marcelo (Wagner Moura) is on the run and headed to Recife with his young son. Once there, he has to get his papers — and best the rogue’s gallery of characters and scenarios strewn in his path by director Kleber Mendonça Filho. Set in 1977, The Secret Agent is full of surprises, cycling between B movie set pieces, some pointed satire and duelling timelines and perspectives. It is a sharp political drama that delivers an entertaining and suspenseful ride, which won best actor and best director at Cannes this year for Moura and Filho respectively. It is also Brazil’s submission to the US Academy Awards.
HUMAN TIDE
Director: David Ward
Each year, millions of Muslims embark on the sacred pilgrimage of Hajj. Documentary Human Tide provides an intimate look at this spiritual journey through the eyes of six diverse groups of pilgrims, each with personal reasons for making this once-in-a-lifetime trip. Among them are Yousef and his father Wasim from Sweden, who seek healing from mental health struggles. By weaving together their individual voices, the film offers a captivating portrait that reveals the profound transformations it sparks.
A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH
Director: Anas Ba-Tahaf
A quirky love story set against the bustling backdrop of Jeddah. Convinced a generational curse will kill her on her 30th birthday, the superstitious Hayat is ready to embrace fate. Meanwhile the brilliant but shy heart surgeon Yousef suffers from a slow heartbeat, finding his only thrill when holding a scalpel. He grapples with a hidden urge to kill, which he suppresses until he meets Hayat. Fate entwines the woman who wants to die and the man who wants to kill, setting a tragic plan in motion. Everything falls into place until a life-affirming love intervenes. This exceptional tale, brought to life by a witty script and cast, uses the city’s stunning Red Sea scenery to explore the unpredictable beauty of life and connection.
ROSE OF NEVADA
Director: Mark Jenkin
Rose Of Nevada is eerie, poignant and the tides are treacherous in this mysterious, daring work. Having brought Enys Men to Red Sea Film Festival in 2022, Mark Jenkin returns with his unique vision in this trenchant time-travelling tale of eternal loss. Two of the UK’s most exciting young actors, George MacKay and Callum Turner, headline this story initially set in a forgotten Cornish fishing village. Nick (MacKay) is trying to fix the roof over his head when he signs up as crew on a mysterious trawler called Rose of Nevada. Liam (Turner) is the stranger who drifts into town and ends up on board. All however, is not as it seems.