After Venice, two Arab films to see MENA premiere at Gouna film festival
Ahram Online, , Tuesday 8 Sep 2020
The Man Who Sold His Skin and 200 Meters will have their regional premieres at the festival in October


Two films by Arab directors, The Man Who Sold His Skin by Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania, and 200 Meters by Ameen Nayfeh, will have their regional premieres at the upcoming El Gouna Film Festival in October.

The two films, which both were among the winners of the festival's Cine Gouna programmes, will be competing in the feature narrative section at the Egyptian festival.

The Man Who Sold His Skin had its world premiere this week as part of the Horizon section of the 77th Venice Film Festival, while 200 Meters premieres as part of the Italian festival’s 17th Giornate degli Autori (Venice Days).

“It is indeed a proud moment for us when a project that we selected and supported through CineGouna SpringBoard achieves international recognition,” said Gouna festival director Intishal Al-Timimi. “Not only does this confirm that our mission at GFF is progressing in the right direction, but it also encourages [us] to carry on the work of nurturing films and filmmakers in the region.”

The Man Who Sold His Skin follows Sam Ali, a sensitive and impulsive young Syrian who has moved to Lebanon to escape the war, and has covered his body in tattoos in an attempt to access Europe.

200 Meters is an international co-production that involves producers from Palestine, Jordan, Italy, and Sweden. It tells the story of Mustafa and his wife, who come from two nearby Palestinian villages that are separated by a 200-metre dividing wall.

The fourth edition of the El Gouna Film Festival, which will take place from 23 to 31 October, will host many of its activities at outdoor venues, including the opening and closing ceremonies.

Founded by businessman Naguib Sawiris, the festival is under the leadership of director Al-Timimi, assisted by co-founder Bushra Rozza, artistic director Amir Ramses, and festival co-founder Kamal Zadeh, who is also its financial advisor.

Sponsored by Orascom Development Holding, the festival takes place in the luxurious private resort town of El Gouna on the Red Sea.

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