A.B. Shawky and Mohamed Hefzy’s Hajjan to have its world premiere at TIFF
A.B. Shawky and Mohamed Hefzy’s Hajjan to have its world premiere at TIFF
Latest productions by Ithra and Film Clinic
The Toronto International Film Festival announced that the film Hajjan directed by Abu Bakr Shawky, has been officially selected to participate in the forty-eighth edition which will be held from September 7 to 17. The film will hold its world premiere as part of the festival’s Discovery Program, which primarily focuses on the first and second works of rising directors
Hajjan, produced by Mohamed Hefzy and Majed Zuhair Samman, co-produced by Rula Nasser, is the latest production by King Abdul Aziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) and Film Clinic, and distributed by Film Clinic Indie Distribution , in the Arab world. and production services in Saudi Arabia by Yellow Camel.
The film was written by Omar Shama, Farrej Al-Mugfel and Abu Bakr Shawqi. It stars Abdul Mohsen Al-Nimr, Omar Al-Atawi, Al-Shaimaa Tayeb, Azzam Al-Nimr, Tolin Barboud and Ibrahim Al-Hassawi.
The story revolves around Brothers Matar and Ghanim who live in the endless desert of Saudi Arabia. When tragedy strikes, young Matar takes on camel racing to keep his camel Hofira. After being hired by ruthless owner Jasser, Matar has to give everything to fight for Hofira’s life in this ageless coming of age drama.
Hajjan is directed by Abu Bakr Shawky, the Egyptian-Austrian writer and director. His short documentary THE COLONY has won awards at festivals around the world. It was followed by his first film, Yomuddin, which was shown for the first time in the official competition of the Cannes International Film Festival, where it was nominated for the Palme d'Or and won the François Chalet Award. Hajjan is his second feature film.
King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra)
The Center seeks to support the knowledge economy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and to contribute to the development of all cultural and knowledge levels through openness to the various cultures of the world with its various facilities, including an international library, cinema, theater, ideas lab, and a large hall.
The center produced more than 23 films, as these films participated in more than 79 international festivals, and won more than 28 awards.
Film Clinic
Film Clinic was founded in 2005 by producer and screenwriter Mohamed Hefzy with the aim of supporting emerging creative talents and combining them with the best expertise in the film industry. Today, Film Clinic has a proven track record of more than 40 diverse successful commercial films and independent films that participated in major film festivals, won many awards and received critical acclaim. Film Clinic has always sought to give filmmakers opportunities locally and globally.
In 2017, Film Clinic established its own distribution arm, Film Clinic Independent Distribution, which aims to financially support and distribute more works by the most exciting and sought-after Arab filmmakers.
