Shot in Turkey, 'Nezouh' was written and directed by Soudade Kaadan.
Soudade Kaadan’s Syrian drama, Nezouh, will be screening at Jordan’s Rainbow Theatre for a limited time, with three screenings scheduled until February 14.
The film, which enjoyed a commercial release in Egypt and Qatar following its world premiere at the Venice International Film Festival, has garnered significant acclaim. At Venice, Nezouh made history by clinching the Orizzonti Extra Audience Award, becoming the first Arab film to do so, and also securing the Lanterna Magica Award from the Cinecircoli Giovanili Socioculturali.
Adding to its accolades, Nezouh recently seized the Best Feature Film Award at the 10th Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth, where it headlined the festival’s Green Carpet segment. The film has also been showcased at prominent events such as Cairo Film Days, the Tripoli, Amman, and Annaba Mediterranean film festivals, and the Panorama of Maghreb and Middle Eastern Cinema.
Among its achievements, Nezouh has won the Amnesty International Award at the MedFilm Festival in Morocco, the Young Jury Award for Best Film at the Festival du Film Arabe de Fameck et Val de Fensch, and received a Special Mention at Cannes Cinéphiles. Additionally, it was nominated for Best Film at the BFI London Film Festival, alongside nominations for Best Effects and Best Lead Performance for Hala Zein at the British Independent Film Awards.
Set against the backdrop of the Syrian conflict, Nezouh follows the story of 14-year-old Zeina, whose life is upended when a missile destroys her home. Finding solace under the stars, Zeina befriends Amer, the boy next door. As violence escalates, Zeina’s mother, Hala, decides to flee, sparking conflict with her husband, Motaz, who is reluctant to leave their home.
Written and directed by Soudade Kaadan, who also co-produced it with Yu-Fai Suen, the film features performances by renowned Syrian actress Kinda Alloush, Samir Al-Masri, Hala Zein, and Nizar Alani. Production credits include Berkeley Media Group Limited, KAF Production, and Agat Films & Cie, with worldwide distribution rights secured by MK2 Films and MAD Solutions handling Arab world sales.
