The Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, has selected 12 films for its Festival Favorites selection, from among the biggest films on the festival circuit, including the UK's Oscar entry Santoshan Indian police procedural about two women who form an unlikely alliance directed by Sandhya Suri and Chinese author Guan Hu Black Dogwhich won the Un certain Regard Award at Cannes.
Representing the United States in the lineup is Familiar touch from director Sarah Friedland whose synopsis reads: “Arriving at a retirement facility, Ruth thinks she's in a luxury hotel on a date – with a man who is actually her son. Little by little, he reconciles with the life he has now. The film had its world premiere in the Orizzonti section of the Venice Film Festival.
The Festival Favorites program also includes two African films screened at the Toronto International Film Festival: Legend of the Wanderer: Queen of Lagoswhich follows a poor young mother living in the coastal communities of Lagos and was directed by Bisola Akinmuyiwa, Atinkpo Elijah, Tina Edukpo, Samuel Okechukwu, Temitope Ogungbamila, Mathew Cerf; and Afolabi Olalekan Freedom Roadalso set in Lagos and explores the impact of a new ride-sharing app on its founders and customers.
“This year's selection continues to demonstrate our commitment to showcasing diverse voices and perspectives throughout the festival,” said Kaleem Aftab, director of international programming for the Red Sea festival. “These films explore a range of real human themes – from contemporary social issues to relationships and the search for meaning in an increasingly complex and chaotic world.”
Antoine Khalife, Director of Arabic Programs and Film Classics, added: “This year's Festival Favorites are films that stay with the viewer long after the curtain falls. They all tell important stories, stories of resilience, identity and universal truth. We invite you all to experience these stories firsthand, indulging in diverse perspectives from around the world.”
Here is the complete selection of titles for the 2024 Festival Favorites program at the Red Sea festival:
AGORA directed by Ala Eddine Slim
Tunisia, France, Saudi Arabia, Qatar
In a distant city, missing people return under inexplicable circumstances. An investigation is launched, led by local police inspector Fathi, assisted by his doctor friend Amine. Things get complicated and reinforcements are sent from the capital to solve the case.
BLACK DOG directed by Guan Hu
China
In a squalid, crumbling Chinese city slated for demolition, an injured ex-convict develops a transformative bond with a stray dog.
NOON EST directed by Hala Elkoussy
Egypt, Netherlands, Qatar
A fable about the musician Abdo, who rebels against his ancestors, seeking freedom through his art in a world confined outside of time.
EEPHUS directed by Carson Lund
United States of America (USA), France
A group of out-of-shape middle-aged men meet one last time for their weekly baseball game; in more ways than one, it's the end of an era.
A FAMILIAR TOUCH directed by Sarah Friedland
United States of America (USA)
Arriving at a retirement facility, Ruth thinks she is in a luxury hotel on a date with a man who is actually her son. Little by little, he reconciles with the life he has now.
FREEDOM WAY directed by Afolabi Olalekan
Nigeria
A ride-sharing app is exactly what chaotic Lagos needs, but both the young engineers who created it and the customers who depend on it must contend with corruption, police violence and extortion.
THE INEVITABLE JOURNEY TO FINDING THE WEDDING DRESS directed by Jaylan Auf
Egypt
Warda's frantic search for a wedding dress on the eve of the ceremony becomes a journey of self-discovery that tests her relationship with Cairo and herself.
THE LEGEND OF THE VAGABONA QUEEN OF LAGOS directed by Bisola Akinmuyiwa, Atinkpo Elijah, Tina Edukpo, Samuel Okechukwu, Temitope Ogungbamila, Mathew Cerf
Nigeria, South Africa, Germany, United States of America (USA)
A poor young mother, filled with an ancient warrior spirit, faces the bullies and bulldozers who are coming to destroy the coastal communities of Lagos.
LITTLE JAFFNA directed by Lawrence Valin
France
A police officer sent to infiltrate the Tamil gangs of Paris begins to wonder whose side he really is on.
QUIET LIFE directed by Alexandros Avranas
France, Germany, Sweden, Estonia, Greece, Finland
A mysterious illness strikes the youngest child of refugees after their request for political asylum in Sweden is rejected.
SANTOSH directed by Sandhya Suri
United Kingdom, Germany, France
A rookie Indian police officer falls under the influence of an older woman mentor.
YOU ARE THE UNIVERSE directed by Pavlo Ostrikov
Ukraine, Belgium
Where were you when the Earth exploded? In space, desperately looking for a friend on the other side of the solar system.