EXCLUSIVE: Crazy Spread acquired MENA rights to a film by Moroccan director Meriem Benm'Barek behind the palm trees the world premiere of which took place at the competition in Marrakesh Film festival over the weekend.
The distribution arm of the Cairo-based pan-Arab film and talent production company will oversee the release of the film in the MENA region, as well as showcase it in its new theatrical showcase CineMAD, which starts in December this year.
Combining the genre with social and historical commentary, the thriller pushes boundaries by exploring the effects of colonialism as well as relationships in a conservative society.
The drama, set in Tangier, stars Driss Ramdi (Escape from Raqqa) as a young Moroccan man torn between two women: his longtime fiancee, played by Nadia Kounda (Ralted), and a rich Frenchwoman played by Sarah Giraudeau (Bureau).
Attracted by the French woman's glamorous lifestyle, he begins to neglect his longtime local girlfriend, knowing full well that his choices will catch up with him.
The cast also includes famous French actress Carole Bouquet and Olivier Rabourdin (Oriental boys).
The film is a French-Moroccan-Belgian-Qatari co-production between Paris-based Tessalit Productions and Orleans-based Furyo Films, in collaboration with Crazy decisions.
It brings together an impressive group of talent from the Arab world and the European indie scene.
Benm'Barek co-wrote the script with the BAFTA and BIFA nominated British-Moroccan director. Fizal Bulifa (The damned don't cry) – in collaboration with Emma Benestan (Encounter with the Beast) and Agnès Febvre (bare hands).
Jean Breat (English)West Beirut, Insult) and Emma Binet are producing, with cinematography by Son Doan (Vietnam and Nam) and editing by Christel Dewinter (Hippocrates: The Diary of a French Physician).
The film also received support from the Doha Film Institute, Atlas Workshops and Red Sea Souk, where MAD Solutions awarded it the coveted distribution award, offering $50,000 worth of distribution, sales and marketing services.
“behind the palm trees shows us that love, passion and the euphoria that comes with it are a universal language that transcends borders, cultures and ethnic groups,” said Mad Solutions co-founders Alaa Karkouti and Maher Diab.
“This is an authentic and relatable Arab story with global appeal, and we're thrilled for you to see it. And on top of all that, we just couldn't resist working with a director as talented as Benm'Barek, following the impressive journey of her latest film. Sofiacontinue!”
Commenting on her vision for the film and why she chose Tangier as the setting for her story, Benm'Barek said: “This film arose from my desire to tell an intimate thriller in which romantic tensions gradually turn into dangerous forces. Tangier, a city full of contrasts, was the perfect setting for this story.”
Benm'Barek was born in Rabat. Moroccoand grew up between Morocco, France and Belgium. In 2010, she joined the Belgian INSAS directing program, where she directed several short films, including Jenna, which was selected for several international festivals and was shortlisted for the 2015 Oscars.
Her debut feature film Sofia (2018) won Best Screenplay at the Cannes Film Festival's Un Certain Regard and went on to win several international awards, including the New Voices/New Visions Grand Jury Prize at the Palm Springs International Film Festival.
Based in Paris, Pyramine International handles international sales.
