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MAD Solutions acquires the rights to over 50 films from the Arab world for 2021 and 2022

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- The new films by Hany Abu-Assad, Yousry Nasrallah and Mohamed Diab are featured in the upcoming slate from the Pan-Arab independent studio

MAD Solutions acquires the rights to over 50 films from the Arab world for 2021 and 2022
Huda's Salon by Hany Abu-Assad

MAD Solutions, the first Pan-Arab independent studio and fully integrative marketing and creative consultancy for the Arab film and entertainment industry, has announced the acquisition of more than 50 Arab film projects (the rights in Arab-speaking nations) in various stages of production from 13 Arab countries as part of its plan for 2021-2022. MAD Solutions is a co-producer on a number of these films.

The new films are directed by well-known Arab acclaimed directors, some of which have already had their previous work screened in international film festivals, including Cannes, and entered into the Oscar race. The 13 Arab nations involved in the new projects include Palestine, Egypt, Lebanon, Algeria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Iraq, Kuwait, Morocco, Tunisia, Qatar, and Syria.

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Featured in the list are The Legend of Zeinab and Noah, the new film by seasoned Egyptian filmmaker Yousry Nasrallah (Scheherazade, Tell Me a Story, After the Battle [+see also:
trailer
film profile
]
); Huda's Salon [+see also:
trailer
film profile
]
, the new title by Palestine’s Hany Abu-Assad (Paradise Now [+see also:
trailer
film profile
]
, Omar); Amira, the new film by Egypt’s Mohamed Diab (Clash [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile
]
); Floating in a Vacuum, the new title by Tunisia’s Mohamed ben Attia (Hedi [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile
]
, Dear Son [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Mohamed Ben Attia
film profile
]
); Catch the Moon, the new feature by Palestine’s Sameh Zoabi (Tel Aviv on Fire [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Sameh Zoabi
film profile
]
); Dirty, Difficult, Dangerous [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Wissam Charaf
film profile
]
, the new film by Lebanon’s Wissam Charaf (Heaven Sent [+see also:
trailer
film profile
]
); Communion, the new film by Tunisia’s Nejib Belkadhi (Look at Me [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile
]
) and A House in Jerusalem, the new film by Palestine’s Muayad Alayan (The Reports on Sarah and Saleem [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile
]
).

The list also includes 22 feature debuts, including The Sea Ahead [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile
]
by Lebanon’s Ely Dagher (the first Arab director to receive the Palme d'Or for Best Short Film, for Waves '98), The Alleys by Jordan’s Bassel Ghandour (writer and producer of Theeb [+see also:
trailer
interview: Naji Abu Nowar
film profile
]
), It's A Boy by Amjad Al-Rasheed (Jordan), Goodbye Julia [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Mohamed Kordofani
film profile
]
by Mohamed Kordofani (Sudan), Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo by Khaled Mansour (Egypt), Life Suits Me Well by Al Hadi Ulad-Mohand (Morroco), Soula by Salah Issad (Algeria), Passage by Amro Ali (Syria), Farah (Lebanon) by Hassiba Freiha and Kenton Oxley, Daughters of Abdulrahman by Zaid Abu Hamdan (Jordan), and Ghodwa, the first directorial effort by the Tunisian Pan-Arab star Dhafer L’abidine (Tunisia).

There are also ten projects by Arab female filmmakers on the list, including Our River....Our Sky (Kulshi Makoo) by Maysoon Pachachi (Iraq); Baghdad Perfume by Roua Alazzawi (Iraq); I'll Go to Hell by Ismahane Lahmar (Tunisia), and Drahem by Najet Hadrich (Tunisia).

Seven Saudi films have also been selected, including two horror films: Asim Altokhais' The Last Jinn Exorcist and Haidar Samir's Sheikh Eljenani. And 90 Days, the feature film debut of director Khaled Elharby, whose lengthy resume includes over 100 notable works in television and theatre.

Finally, the list also includes some films that have already had a presence in international film festivals in 2021, such as Black Medusa (Tunisia) by ismaël and Youssef Chebbi (world-premiered at IFFR), Trapped (Egypt) by director Manal Khaled (world-premiered at SXSW), About Her (Egypt) by director Islam El Azzazi (world-premiered at Cairo), and Gaza Mon Amour [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile
]
by Tarzan & Arab Nasser (world-premiered at Venice and Toronto).

MAD Solutions' co-founders Alaa Karkouti and Maher Diab stated: "We feel that there is a bright future and a great desire for Arab cinema. During the pandemic, we used the opportunity to discuss the objectives and goals for Arab films, to strengthen links with the public, and to be a part of projects from the beginning, developing the films together."

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