These films will highlight the diversity of stories and voices coming from the Arab world.
The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) will spotlight several Arab filmmakers this year, showcasing their films in various categories from September 6 to 15. While no Arab films are featured in the Gala or Special Presentations, there are numerous standout titles to look forward to across other sections of the festival.
The Arab films in the TIFF lineup include Front Row by Merzak Allouache, Happy Holidays by Scandar Copti, To a Land Unknown by Mahdi Fleifel, From Ground Zero by multiple directors, Drama 1882 by Wael Shawky, Perfumed with Mint by Muhammed Hamdy, Sudan, Remember Us by Hind Meddeb and The Diary of a Sky by Lawrence Abu Hamdan.
Algerian filmmaker Merzak Allouache’s Front Row is a dramedy and his 19th feature film. It centres on a feud between two matriarchs vying for the best spot on a beach, offering a humorous and heartwarming story full of quirky characters.
Palestinian director Scandar Copti’s second feature, Happy Holidays, is a family drama that weaves together the lives of four interconnected characters. The film explores the complexities of gender, culture, and generational conflict through stories of love, crisis, and personal dilemmas.
To a Land Unknown, by Mahdi Fleifel, follows two Palestinian cousins, Chatila and Reda, in Athens as they try to escape their harsh environment. When Reda’s drug addiction jeopardizes their savings, Chatila devises a desperate plan to get them out.
From Ground Zero is an omnibus film created by 22 artists living in Gaza, offering a critical, multifaceted look at life under siege.
Egyptian artist Wael Shawky’s Drama 1882 delves into the story of Col. Ahmed Urabi, who led a rebellion in Egypt between 1879 and 1882, seeking to oust Khedive Tewfik Pasha and resist foreign imperialism.
Muhammed Hamdy’s debut feature, Perfumed with Mint, is a surreal exploration of a desolate Cairo, following two friends as they flee from the ghosts of their past while navigating the eerie, empty streets of the city.
Sudan, Remember Us by Hind Meddeb captures the euphoric moment of revolution in Sudan in 2019, as well as the subsequent military crackdown, documenting the spirit of young Sudanese activists.
Finally, Lawrence Abu Hamdan’s The Diary of a Sky uses smartphone videos and sonic analysis to investigate the use of sonic terrorism against citizens in Lebanon.
