'Xoftex' is set in a Greek refugee camp named Xoftex, where Syrian and Palestinian asylum seekers anxiously await news of their refugee status.
Noaz Deshe’s surrealist refugee drama, Xoftex, is set to screen at the Pune International Film Festival in India. The film will be showcased in the Global Cinema section on February 17 at 5:30 PM.
Meanwhile, Xoftex has been acquired by MAD World, with MAD Distribution, the MENA-based sales and marketing arm of MAD Solutions, handling its distribution across the Arab-speaking region.
The film has received positive critical reviews, with Damon Wise of Deadline praising it as “an unorthodox, often oblique, but emotionally powerful attempt to recreate onscreen the disorientation of the stateless mind.” Laurence Boyce of Screen Daily commended its eccentric storytelling, noting its departure from heavy realism and traditional narratives in refugee stories. Similarly, Susan Gottlieb of Cineurope applauded Deshe’s innovative approach and effort to include the voices of those affected.
Xoftex centres on Palestinian Syrian teenager Nasser and his older brother Yassin, who are living in a Greek refugee camp while awaiting a decision on their asylum application. They pass the time by recording comedy sketches, dreaming of making zombie films, and fantasizing about moving to Sweden. The film’s blend of realism, surrealism, and art-house experimentalism captures the essence of the global refugee crisis.
Deshe not only wrote, directed, shot, edited, scored and produced the film but also shares production credits with Andro Steinborn, Jordan Tappis and Beau Willimon. The film is co-produced by Christophe Audeguis and executive-produced by Majd Hafiry, Osama Hafiry, Babak Jalali, Patrick Schorn, Grischa Sautter, Gabriel Stavenhagen, Zachary Guglin, Julian Chavez, Eve Gabereau, Maria Drandaki and Didar Domehri.
The cast features first-time actor and rapper Abdulrahman Diab, actor and director Osama Hafiry and includes Jalal Albaroudi, Hazem Saleh, Mouataz Alshaltouh, Mohamad Al Rashi, Amal Omran, Lujain Mustafa, Ramadan Hamoud, Mohammad Dibo and Yasin El-Harouk.
