Saudi-backed Films Set to Shine at Venice Film Festival
In a groundbreaking move, two films supported by Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Foundation are gearing up to make a splash at the prestigious 81st edition of the Venice Film Festival.
Aicha: A Tale of Resilience and Rebirth
Tunisian director Mehdi M. Barsaoui’s “Aicha” is all set to grace the competitive Orizzonti section. This section specifically focuses on international films that epitomize the latest trends in aesthetics and expression. The film, backed by the Red Sea Fund and the Red Sea Souk, tells the compelling story of a young woman from southern Tunisia who embarks on a journey to rebuild her life in Tunis after being mistakenly declared dead in a tragic bus accident.
Seeking Haven For Mr. Rambo: A Journey of Redemption
Egyptian filmmaker Khaled Mansour’s “Seeking Haven For Mr. Rambo” is another gem supported by the Red Sea Fund. This film, which was a part of the Red Sea Lodge development program in 2021, is gearing up for its world premiere in the Orizzonti Extra section. The narrative follows a young man as he confronts his past fears and sets out on a mission to rescue his beloved dog and best friend from an uncertain fate.
Star-Studded Opener
The festival will kick off with the out-of-competition screening of Tim Burton’s “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” featuring a star-studded cast including Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara, Justin Theroux, Monica Bellucci, Jenna Ortega, and Willem Dafoe.
Meet the Esteemed Jury
This year’s international jury, headed by the renowned French actor Isabelle Huppert, comprises distinguished personalities from the world of cinema. The stellar lineup includes James Gray (“Ad Astra”), Andrew Haigh (“All of Us Strangers”), Agnieszka Holland (“Green Border”), Kleber Mendonca Filho (“Bacurau”), Abderrahmane Sissako (“Bamako”), Giuseppe Tornatore (“Cinema Paradiso”), Julia von Heinz (“Treasure”), and Zhang Ziyi (“Memoirs of a Geisha”).