EXCLUSIVE: Cercamon has acquired worldwide gross sales rights for Saudi director Tawfik Alzaidi’s first characteristic Norah forward of its world premiere within the Cannes Movie Competition’s Un Sure Regard.
Norah will make historical past in Might as the primary ever Saudi characteristic to play in Cannes’ Official Choice. The achievement comes six years after Saudi Arabia introduced the top its 35-year cinema ban and is an indication of the effervescent cinema scene that has sprung up since.
Set in Saudi Arabia within the Nineteen Nineties when creative expression was banned, the characteristic follows rookie instructor and clandestine artist Nader, who is distributed to a distant village for his first publish the place he connects with a younger girl, whose life has been stifled by the period of conservatism.
She ignites the creativity inside him and evokes him to color once more. At nice threat, they develop a fragile connection and a quiet bond. Nader enlightens Norah on the broader world exterior of her tiny neighborhood and she or he realises she should depart, to discover a place the place she could be free to precise her creative self.
“We’re thrilled to characterize Tawfik Alzaidi’s Norah for worldwide gross sales and assist deliver it to the worldwide market. This landmark movie, which encapsulates the spirit of Saudi Arabia within the Nineteen Nineties via its poignant narrative of creative and private awakening, represents a major second for Saudi cinema on the worldwide stage,” mentioned Cercamon CEO Sebastian Chesneau.
“Norah is a daring assertion in regards to the energy of artwork and expression. We consider its common themes of wrestle, creativity, and resilience will resonate deeply with audiences worldwide.”
Cercamon is dealing with gross sales for all territories aside for MENA, the place rights have been acquired by Dubai-based distribution and manufacturing home Entrance Row Filmed Leisure late final 12 months.
Chesneau’s firm which is celebrating its tenth anniversary, handles as much as eight includes a 12 months.
Current gross sales titles embody Vietnamese drama Contained in the Yellow Cocoon Shell, which premiered in Administrators’ Fortnight final 12 months and went on to win the Digital camera d’Or for finest movie movie throughout the Official Choice and the parallel Cannes sections.
The gross sales mandate deal for Norah was brokered by Paul Chesney, CEO of Riyadh-based acquisition and distribution firm TwentyOne Leisure, the sister firm of which, Pink Palm Footage, absolutely financed and produced the characteristic.
“I’m actually completely happy to welcome Cercamon on board. All through our distribution journey with Norah, it’s been massively essential to us that we associate with like-minded corporations who share our imaginative and prescient for this stunning movie and the objectives and values of the TwentyOne Leisure group,” mentioned Chesney.
The Norah forged options rising Saudi star Yaqoub Alfarhan (Rashash), newcomer Maria Bahrawi and acclaimed veteran actor Abdullah Alsadhan (Tash ma Tash).
The movie’s script gained a fund award from the Saudi Movie Fee’s Daw Movie Competitors, an initiative launched by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tradition to help and encourage the subsequent era of Saudi filmmakers. Norah is the primary Saudi characteristic movie to shoot fully within the UNESCO World Heritage Web site of AlUla.