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Arab Cinema Shines at 82nd Venice Film Festival
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Venice,italy – August 31,2024 – The 82nd Venice International Film Festival is showcasing a strong lineup of Arab films,highlighting compelling narratives and emerging talent. Two standout productions, “Malaga Street” from morocco and “Wolves” from Palestine, are generating significant buzz among critics and attendees.
Malaga Street (Morocco)
Director Maryam Al-Tuzani, following the acclaim for her 2022 film “The Blue Blouse” (Kaskat Albous), presents “Malaga Street,” set in the historic city of Tangier, Morocco. The film stars veteran actress Fatima Harrandi as the central character, an elderly woman facing displacement.
“Malaga Street” explores themes of aging, memory loss, and the tension between tradition and modernization. The narrative unfolds with a intentional pace, focusing on nuanced details as the protagonist grapples with the prospect of leaving her long-held home due to a family decision. The film runs for 85 minutes and is a Moroccan-french co-production, supported by the Moroccan Cinema Center (CCM).
wolves (Palestine)
Saeed Zagha’s short film, “Wolves,” marks a historic moment as the first Palestinian film selected to compete in the Orizzonti Shorts section of the Venice Film Festival. The 17-minute film features performances by Maria Zureik and Ali suleiman.
The film follows a Palestinian surgeon, weary after a demanding night shift at a hospital in Nablus, as he navigates a desolate road in the West Bank. “Wolves” builds suspense through its ambiguous setting and atmosphere, reflecting the psychological toll of living under occupation. The film is produced by Maryam Sassin and was partially funded through a grant from the Palestine Film Foundation.
