Pan-Arab Distributor Mad Solutions Boards Tunisian Auteur Ala Eddine Slim’s Locarno-Bound Mystery ‘Agora’ (EXCLUSIVE)

As a seasoned cinephile who has traversed the cinematic landscapes of the Arab world and beyond, I am absolutely thrilled about the international acquisition of “Agora” by Mad Solutions. Having witnessed the captivating works of Ala Eddine Slim, I eagerly await his latest mystery drama to grace our screens. The intriguing premise, coupled with the atmospheric imagery that Slim is known for, promises a unique and engaging cinematic experience.


International distribution rights for the Tunisian filmmaker Ala Eddine Slim’s mystery drama “Agora” have been acquired by Mad Solutions, a distributor with a focus on Arabic-speaking regions, prior to its debut at the Locarno Film Festival in competition.

The story centers on three individuals who mysteriously reappear in a secluded Tunisian town, causing unrest among their families and the community. A local police officer named Fathi, along with his friend Amine, investigate the enigma of their original disappearance and sudden return. Subsequently, another inspector arrives from the capital city. The movie seems to unfold like scenes from the dreams of two animals – a blue dog and a black crow – as suggested by the director in an interview with EbMaster.

Slim’s last two projects, characterized by a scarcity of dialogue and evocative visuals, received considerable praise from critics: “The Last of Us” (2016) was honored with the Lion of the Future Prize at Venice. “Tlamess” (2019) was showcased in the Directors’ Fortnight at Cannes. Following this recognition, “Tlamess” was distributed across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region by Mad Solution’s distribution division.

In addition to its theatrical release, “Agora” is set to be distributed across the Arab region through Mad Distribution. Meanwhile, Mad World, the newly formed international sales division, will take care of selling the film to distributors worldwide outside of the Arab region.

As a supporter, I’m thrilled to be part of a team featuring Neji Kanaweti, who captured hearts in “Who Do I Belong To”; Bilel Slatnia, recognized for his work in “Dachra”; Majd Mastoura, known best for his role in “Hedi”; and the rising Tunisian star Sonia Zarg Ayouna. Together, we form the exceptional cast of “Agora”.

The movie was jointly produced by Julie Viez’s Cinenovo from France and Slim’s Exit Productions, with financial support coming from several sources such as the Tunisian National Center for Cinema and Image, Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Fund, and Qatar’s Doha Film Institute.

Mad Solutions’ co-founders, Alaa Karkouti and Maher Diab expressed their enthusiasm in a statement about introducing an intriguing investigative drama with high anticipation to global audiences, keeping viewers captivated till the very end.

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2024-08-06 14:16