The Cairo International Film Festival has announced that the film "Al-Basir" by Ali Toufan Al-Fatlawi will participate in the "Arab Cinema Horizons" competition at its 47th edition, taking place from November 11 to 20. The film will have its world premiere at the festival, along with the release of its poster and official trailer.
The film "Al-Basir" tells the story of Ayub, a blind sailor living in the vast Iraqi marshes. His life changes when he falls in love with a mysterious woman one night, but those around him refuse to believe she exists. Ayub must then prove the truth of his love in a journey that blends human emotions and mystery, raising questions about believing in what others cannot see or believe.
The film is written and directed by Ali Toufan Al-Fatlawi, who is also producing it through his Iraqi company "Krada Film" in cooperation with producer Samir. The film is a co-production between Switzerland, Iraq, and Qatar, with a runtime of 120 minutes. It features a cast including Ahmed Monika, Samia Al-Rahmani, Khalil Kahil, Awatif Naim, Zahraa Ghandour, and Aziz Khiyon.
The film's crew includes Yunes Roy Emer as director of photography, Paul Afondie and Ali Toufan as editors, and Barnaby Hole and Nicola Adamina Brunner as sound mixers during filming. Guido Hilbeling designed the sound, while Marcus Moll handled the final sound mix and Marcel Weid created the film's music. The film's production team also includes Ria Assi as production manager, Kaspar Brog as lighting designer, Tamara Nori as costume designer, and Marina Ebbi as makeup artist.
Ali Toufan Al-Fatlawi has a diverse artistic background, having grown up in Baghdad and started his career in drawing and poetry. He later expanded to playwriting, acting, and visual arts, and moved to Switzerland in 1997 to study at the F+F School of Art and Design in Zurich. In 2013, he founded the Urakypost Film Production company and has won several awards in the arts and performance, including the Swiss Art Award in 2012 and the Performance Art Award in 2011.
"Al-Basir" marks Al-Fatlawi's debut in long-form film, following his work on several short films and participation in award-winning cinematic projects, including the short film "Eating the Silence" in 2021. The film's project was previously selected to participate in the Cannes Film Festival's market during its development and post-production stages.
The 47th Cairo International Film Festival will take place from November 11 to 20, showcasing a diverse range of films from around the world. The festival's "Arab Cinema Horizons" competition will feature "Al-Basir" alongside other films, highlighting the best of Arab cinema and providing a platform for emerging filmmakers to showcase their work.
Key points
- The film "Al-Basir" will have its world premiere at the 47th Cairo International Film Festival.
- The film tells the story of a blind sailor who falls in love with a mysterious woman.
- The film is a co-production between Switzerland, Iraq, and Qatar.
