The Arabic Nights programme is an initiative curated by Ola Salwa, Polish films critic and programmer, known for her particular focus on Arab cinema.
Screening of Seeking Haven For Mr. Rambo on 29 October is second Egyptian film presented by Salwa to Polish viewers, following My Father’s Scent by Mohamed Siam, a few weeks ago.
Director Khaled Mansour's first feature-length narrative, Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo, had its world premiere at the 81st Venice International Film Festival (2024), where it was screened in the official selection. This was followed by a screening at the several international festivals, before moving to movie theatres across the Arab world.
Mohamed El-Hosseiny and Mansour co-wrote the film, which stars Essam Omar, Rakin Saad, Sama Ibrahim, and Ahmed Bahaa, the co-founder of the Sharmoofers band, in his debut acting role.
The drama film tells the story of Hassan (Essam Omar), a young man in his thirties who is forced to confront his past fears. He embarks on self-discovery, which includes a quest to save his dog and best friend, Rambo, from an unknown fate.
Ola Salwa
Ola Salwa is a Polish film journalist and critic with two decades of professional experience. Her work appears in leading film outlets both in Poland and abroad.
She is the co-founder and former editor-in-chief of Polish Film Magazine, an English-language publication dedicated to Polish cinema that was regularly distributed at major festivals such as Cannes and the Berlinale.
For four years, she served as a programmer and industry coordinator at the Transatlantyk Film Festival, one of the two festivals worldwide to present the FIPRESCI Platinum Award.
Currently, Salwa contributes to organizing and coordinating industry training programmes and film-related events across Poland.
A frequent guest at international festivals — including several in Egypt and across the Arab world — she plays a key role in fostering cinematic ties between Egyptian filmmakers and Polish film institutions and platforms.
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