Carthage, Tunisia – The 35th Carthage Film Days is lighting up the silver screens across the city, as the festival hosts its feature film competitions, including the much-anticipated “Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo.” Directed by Khaled Mansour and produced by Rasha Hosny, the film is part of the official competition vying for the prestigious Tanit d’Or, with three screenings scheduled from December 18-20.
This cinematic event places Mansour’s work among 14 contenders in the spotlight, following its journey across various international stages, beginning with the Venice Film Festival before traveling through festivals in Belgium and Iraq, as well as the Red Sea Film Festival. At the latter, the film not only captivated audiences but also clinched the Jury Award, a significant nod presented by Hollywood actress Minnie Driver. She remarked on the difficulty of the selection process, highlighting that the film’s themes of animal welfare stirred the jurors’ emotions and led to its unanimous selection.
Director Mansor expressed his deep connection to his work and to the audience’s receptive and engaging responses across cultural and linguistic divides. “To see people globally resonate with the themes we’ve put forth is profoundly fulfilling,” he said, emphasizing the gratification of sharing the film with an Egyptian audience, which he considers personal and akin to family.
“Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo,” Mansour’s first feature-length narrative, follows the protagonist Hassan, a young man in his thirties embarking on an urgent quest to save his beloved dog, Rambo. The storyline dives into personal and dramatic depths as Hassan grapples with his past fears and current adversities, triggered by an incident that pits his neighbors against him.
The film’s cast includes Essam Omar, whose starring role marks his cinematic debut, alongside Rakin Saad, Sama Ibrahim from the musical group Sharmoofers, and other emerging talents. The screenplay by Mohamed El-Hosseiny complements Mansour’s direction, intertwining emotional threads with societal commentary, reflective of Mansour’s previous work in short films.
The Carthage Film Days, concluding on December 21, continues to host audiences from varied backgrounds, providing a platform not just for cinematic exhibition but also for crucial dialogues on societal issues depicted through the medium of film. The festival thus remains a seminal event in the world of international film, bridging cultures through shared storytelling. Mansour, on commemorating his journey, dedicated his recent accolade at the Red Sea Film Festival to Cairo, his source of inspiration and aspiration.
As “Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo” heads to Egyptian cinemas from January 1, the anticipation around its unique narrative and heartfelt execution builds. Spike Lee, chair of the Red Sea Film Festival jury and a luminary in the film industry, also praised the film, particularly noting Omar’s compelling performance.
The profound impact of Mansour’s work reflects not only in its international acclaim but also in its potential to ignite conversations and emotional connections across various audiences, making “Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo” a significant addition to global and regional cinema.
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