Egyptian Director Khalid Mansour Premieres Debut Film at Red Sea International Film Festival
JEDDAH: The momentous occasion of showcasing his first feature film, “Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo,” at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah marks a major milestone for Egyptian director Khalid Mansour.
Arab News caught up with Mansour, a seasoned filmmaker who previously helmed three short films and a mini-series titled “Rawaa Reads” (2023), following the film’s premiere in Jeddah.
“Participating in one of the world’s most prestigious cinematic events is an extraordinary opportunity to connect with a broader audience and establish myself as a filmmaker, especially given that this film is my directorial debut,” he remarked.
As the first Egyptian film to be featured at the Venice Film Festival in September after a 12-year hiatus, “Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo” follows protagonist Hassan on his quest to find a safe refuge for his loyal companion, Rambo, after their landlord threatens the canine.
“The narrative of ‘Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo’ delves into the experiences of my generation, exploring our thoughts, beliefs, fears, and sense of identity through Hassan’s journey. This project took nearly eight years to come to fruition as I aimed to deliver authentic and innovative cinema,” Mansour shared.
He added, “This marks my first foray into feature-length storytelling, and the film delves beyond the surface-level tale of a man and his dog, delving into the complexities of our generation and shedding light on the challenges we face in society.”
Inspired by a true event that resulted in the imprisonment of four men in Egypt in 2015 for the brutal killing of a dog captured on film, which sparked widespread outrage when the footage went viral.
“This film explores the profound bond between a man and his canine companion, inspired by a real-life incident on Al-Ahram Street in Cairo where a group of individuals retaliated by killing a dog in front of horrified onlookers,” Mansour explained.
Starring Essam Omar, Rakeen Saad, Ahmed Bahaa, Samaa Ibrahim, and the lovable Rambo Brothers, the film was produced by Rasha Hosny and renowned Egyptian producer Mohamed Hefzy. Audiences can expect the film to hit theaters across the Arab world in January.