El Gouna Film Festival (GFF) unveils the first 12 titles for its highly anticipated 8th Edition. The 12 films have diverse storytelling, themes, and languages. The program features prominent and emerging talented directors and actors. The annual anticipated festival is set to take place from October 12 to 24.
El Gouna Film Festival (GFF) is thrilled to announce the first 12 films selected to be screened at its 8th edition, taking place from October 16 to 24. The anticipated festival is offering an exclusive program featuring critically acclaimed works from both established and emerging filmmakers. The festival will announce the remaining films in the coming weeks.
Marianne Khoury, Artistic Director of El Gouna Festival, shared,
“We are incredibly proud of the carefully curated program that will be presented, with each film contributing to a rich tapestry of stories from around the world. The festival is a platform for dialogue and discovery, and we are confident that this initial selection will resonate deeply with our audience.”
It Was Just An Accident
Directed by Jafar Panahi
Set in: Iran, France, Luxembourg
Language: Persian
The film gained global acclaim, winning the Palme d’Or award. The maestro Jafar Panahi chronicles a minor accident that sets in motion a thriller and drama-filled plot.
Sentimental Value
Directed by Joachim Trier
Set in: Norway, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, France
Language: Danish, English
The praised film received the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival, explores the deeply intertwined lives of two sisters, an established actress and her younger sister, who has chosen family life, and their relationship with their estranged father, confronting their past with him. The acclaimed director, Joachim Trier, who directed the film ‘The Worst Person In The World,’ screened at the 2021 GFF.
Dreams (Sex Love)
Directed by Dag Johan Haugerud
Set in: Norway
Language: Norwegian
This film is the second movie in a trilogy by Haugerud. It follows Johanne, who falls in love with her teacher for the first time and documents her experiences in writing, exploring emotions of self-discovery, love, and sexuality. The film explores romantic ideals vs reality. It won the Golden Bear and FIPRESCI Prize at the Berlinale.
Blue Moon
Directed by Richard Linklater
Set in: United States, Ireland
Language: English
The film is a biographical comedy. It unfolds in real-time on the evening of March 31, 1943, telling the story of legendary lyricist Lorenz Hart. He boldly faces the future as his professional and private life slowly unravels. It was a Berlinale selection, with Andrew Scott winning a Silver Bear for Best Supporting Performance.
Better Go Mad In The Wild
Directed by Miro Remo
Set in: Czech Republic, Slovakia
Language: Czech
The film is a documentary that chronicles the unraveling bond between wilderness twins, exploring themes of separation and reconciliation. It received the Grand Prix at the Karlovy Vary IFF.
Resurrection
Directed by Bi Gan
Set in: China, France
Language: Chinese, Mandarin
The film is a psychological thriller about a world where humanity lost the ability to dream. A monster clings to the illusions of a dreamworld until a woman appears with the rare power to perceive these illusions for what they truly are. The film won the Special Prize at the Cannes Film Festival.
Sound Of Falling
Directed by Mascha Schilnski
Set in: Germany
Language: German
A historical-drama film about four girls, separated by a century, each spends their youth on the same farm, which harbors generations of secrets. The girls’ lives begin to mirror each other. The film was a joint winner of the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival.
The Devil Smokes (And Saves The Burnt Matches In The Same Box)
Directed by Ernesto Martínez Bucio
Set in: Mexico
Language: Spanish
The bilingual Mexican debut gradually blurs the boundary between reality and imagination. The fears of five stoic young siblings, abandoned by their parents, mix with those of their schizophrenic grandmother. This first feature won the Best First Feature Award Berlinale Perspectives.
Always
Directed by Deming Chen
Set in: United States, France, China
Language: Chinese, Chinese Regional Dialects
The film is an allegorical documentary about the loss of innocence. This film follows Gong Youbin, a young Chinese man who embarks on an emotional journey through poetry. It was a First Feature that won the DOX: AWARD at CPH: DOX.
Orwell: 2+2=5
Directed by Raoul Peck
Set in: United States, France
Language: English
This urgent documentary delves into the final months of George Orwell’s life, exploring the relevance of his masterpiece 1984, and disturbing sociopolitical truths such as Doublethink and Newspeak, which resonate more powerfully than ever today. It’s directed by Raoul Peck, whose highly praised documentary ‘I Am Not Your Negro’ was screened at the 2017 GFF.
A Poet
Directed by Simón Mesa Soto
Set in: Colombia, Germany, Sweden
Language: Spanish
This film tells the story of an aging, erratic poet who finds new light in his life by helping a teenage girl from humble roots, cultivating her talent. This second feature received the Jury Prize of Un Certain Regard at the Cannes Film Festival.
Adam’s Sake
Directed by Laura Wandel
Set in: Belgium, France
Language: French
A story of a pediatric nurse who confronts a mother’s refusal to leave her four-year-old son’s side in the hospital, and will do everything in her power to help the mother in distress. The film opened the Critics’ Week at Cannes and is directed by Wandel, whose film ‘Playground was screened at the 2021 GFF.
Andrew Mohsen, Head of Programming at GFF, added,
“We are delighted to present this selection, which embodies the spirit of our festival,” adding, “These films represent a global array of storytelling, from powerful narratives to thought-provoking documentaries, many of which have already been recognized on the international festival circuit. This is just a glimpse of the cinematic journey that awaits our audience.”
About El Gouna Film Festival
El Gouna Film Festival is one of the leading festivals in the Middle East and North Africa. It aims to present a diverse selection of films from all around the world, particularly Arab cinema, to a passionate film and media audience. The festival aspires to foster cultural exchange through the art of filmmaking, connecting regional filmmakers with their international counterparts in a spirit of collaboration and dialogue. It also strives to promote and support the industry’s growth in the region, providing a platform for filmmakers to showcase their work and discover new voices and talents that enrich the world of cinema.