Other producers involved in this project include Canal+, Hecat, Freemonkeyz and Sihamou Productions.
Front Row Filmed Entertainment has joined forces with a team of producers for the production of Abdelinho, a satirical coming-of-age-comedy feature, starring Palestinian star Ali Suliman (Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan; Terrence Malick’s The Last Planet, The Attack, Houda’s Salon). The company also has all MENA rights for the title.
Produced and directed by Hicham Ayouch (Fevers) and co-produced by Canal + International, Hecat, FreeMonkeyz and Sihamou Productions, the story follows Abdelinho, a young Moroccan who is fascinated by everything that has to do with Brazil, to the point where he speaks the language fluently and dances the samba regularly and is head over heels in love with Maria, a telenovelas heroine. However, his world is turned upside down when an ultra-conservative televangelist arrives.
“We’re proud to be joining such a team. Hicham is an innate storyteller with an understanding of the region’s reality, but also its massive potential,” commented Front Row CEO Gianluca Chakra.
“Abdelinho is a unique film that underscores how fanaticism can limit dreams and creativity, to the point of debilitating societies. Ultimately, the film injects positivity and hope within our cultures here, something which we always strive for particularly in the Middle East. Given our position in the market, we will do everything possible to get this film out and be seen by as many eyeballs we can reach.”
Ayouch added: “I hope this film will create passionate and constructive discussions in the Arab world regarding how we deal with people’s differences and freedom of conscience. I’m very happy to collaborate with Front Row whose enthusiasm about Abdelinho is wonderful; they fell in love with the film and I’m sure they’ll do a fantastic job”.
There was a lot of buzz around the production at the Red Sea Souk project market at the end of last year. Abdelinho is Ayouch’s fourth feature. The film is currently in post-production and is scheduled for a tentative release at the end of the year. International sales will be handled by Parisian outfit Urban Sales.
