Ending on a high, the 76th edition of the Cannes Film Festival wrapped up on May 27 following 12 days of movie screenings, awards and far more. This year, Arab filmmakers and stars were at the forefront with much of their movies catching big awards. Let’s take a look at some of the most significant winners of this year’s festival:
I Promise You Paradise
Snatching the Rail d’Or Award for finest short film in Semaine de la critique is Egyptian Director Morad Mostafa’s brief movie “I Promise You Paradise”, everything about the African immigrant experience in Egypt.
Hounds
The very first feature movie of Moroccan director Kamal Lazraq “Hounds” managed to capture the Jury Prize in the “Un Certain Regard” section. Embed in Casablanca, the film positions a lens on the life of Hassan and Issam, a father and child who make an enduring petty criminal activities.
Four Daughters
Winning not simply one but 3 awards at the celebration is Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania’s hybrid documentary “Four Daughters” starring Hend Sabri. Among the awards was the Positive Cinema Award which is given to movies that influence hope and social change.
Goodbye Julia
Beyond it making waves as the first Sudanese film to take part in the Cannes film celebration, filmmaker Mohamed Kordofani’s “Goodbye Julia” also caught the Freedom Prize. Watching this movie provides audiences an untapped look at the nation six years prior to the 2011 secession of South Sudan.
The Mother Of All Lies
Together With Four Daugthers, Moroccan filmmaker Asmae El Moudir “The Mother Of All Lies” won the L’Oeil d’or (Golden Eye) prize for the best documentary in Cannes. Using speculative film-making, the documentary dives into upheaval and violence of 1981 Bread Riots in Casablanca.
Each of these films takes audiences on a journey through the ever-changing world of the Arab region through special characters with abundant backgrounds and experiences. Their stories are special and will continue to serve as a successful and representative voice of the Arab world.