Directed by Fadi Haddad, the 80-minute drama/comedy is scripted in Arabic with English subtitles.
In light of the stay-at-home protocol to prevent the spreading of coronavirus, the Royal Film Commission – Jordan has announced a free online screening programme “Cur-films”, every Monday and Thursday.
As part of the programme, the RFC will screen Jordanian film When Monaliza Smiled on March 30 at 9 pm. The link to watch the film will be shared on RFC’s social media platforms.
The film follows Monaliza, a 37-year-old Jordanian woman with an extreme inability to draw a smile on her face, who finally gets a governmental job after 15 years of waiting.
It is unpleasant news to Afar, her older, grumpy, unmarried agoraphobic sister. At work, Monaliza meets Hamdi, the jolly Egyptian tea guy. Through a journey of transformation, Monaliza comes face to face with a community of nosy characters and quirky stereotypes.
The film was nominated to the Muhr Arab Award for Best Feature Film at Dubai International Film Festival.
