The film, developed through the Red Sea Lodge programme in 2021 and also supported by the Red Sea Fund, will have its world premiere in the Orizzonti Extra section.
Venice International Film Festival has chosen Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo, the debut feature by Egyptian filmmaker Khaled Mansour, as part of its official selection for the 81st edition, set to run from August 28 to September 7. This selection marks the return of Egyptian cinema to Venice’s official lineup after a 12-year absence, with the last being Ibrahim El Batout’s Winter of Discontent in the Orizzonti programme in 2012.
The film will premiere in the Orizzonti Extra section, showcasing the latest trends in international cinema from emerging talents. Written by Mohamed El-Hosseiny and Khaled Mansour, the drama stars Essam Omar, Rakin Saad, Sama Ibrahim and Ahmed Bahaa.
Produced by Mohamed Hefzy through Film Clinic and Rasha Hosny in her feature film production debut, the film is distributed worldwide by Film Clinic Indie Distribution.
The film received several accolades, including the Visual Identity and DCP Services Award from Creative Media Solutions at the fifth Amman Film Industry Days (AFID) and Amman Project Market. It also garnered production grants from the Red Sea Film Fund, Arab Fund for Arts and Culture (AFAC), and Fonds Image de la Francophoni.
Seeking Haven For Mr. Rambo tells the story of a young man confronting his past fears to save his dog and best friend from an uncertain fate.
Hassan is a man in his thirties, living with his mother and Rambo, his dog and best friend, in a poor neighbourhood. He hates having a steady job, but his mother pressures him to keep one so he can assist her with their daily expenses.
After his mother threatens to cut off the little money she gives him, he decides to go back to his old job, working for Shiko as a sandwich seller. One night, when Hassan returns home, he gets into a fight with Karem, a neighbour working as a car mechanic. Hassan is hit hard, and in his defence, Rambo rushes down and bites Karem in the crotch.
When Karem recovers, he tries to vindicate his lost pride. People of the neighbourhood suggest that Rambo is given to Karem, yet Hassan disagrees to such a deal, finding himself in a tough spot.
Assisted by his friend Ahmed, who works in a poor governmental veterinary hospital, and Asmaa, a girl who loves Hassan, the protagonist begins a journey in which he attempts to move Rambo to a safe place within the country. Unfortunately, with Karem’s connections within their neighbourhood, Hassan is being watched everywhere he goes.
With the help of Jamila, an animal aid activist, Hassan finally succeeds in finding a shelter for his dog outside of the country. This drives Karem mad, and so Hassan and his mother are kicked out of their home, and left with an unknown fate.
