Watermelon Takes Mahdi Fleifel’s Cannes Directors’ Fortnight Hit ‘To a Land Unknown’ for North America (EXCLUSIVE)

As a film enthusiast with a deep appreciation for stories that delve into the human condition and societal issues, I was captivated by the trailer of “To a Land Unknown.” Having lived in different parts of the world and experienced various cultural nuances firsthand, I found myself drawn to its raw, gritty portrayal of life in a downbeat neighborhood of Athens.

Based in Chicago, the production company Watermelon Pictures has secured the distribution rights for North America for the film “To a Land Unknown,” directed by Danish-Palestinian writer and director Mahdi Fleifel. This movie had its world premiere at Cannes Directors’ Fortnight where it received widespread praise.

At Toronto’s Centerpiece Showcase, “To a Land Unknown,” sold by Salaud Morisset, had its North American premiere during a P&I screening on Friday. This marked the film’s first showing in North America, and it delivered a powerful double-impact for Salaud Morisset, as it was also their second Centerpiece title, with “Under the Volcano” being the other one that they represent.

In the spirit of “Bicycle Thieves,” EbMaster praised the film, “To a Land Unknown,” by saying, “This movie revolves around two cousins, Chatila and Reda, who were raised in a Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon and currently find themselves stuck in a gloomy part of Athens. They’re desperate to earn or con money for false passports that will allow them to travel to Germany. However, when Reda squanders their savings on his opiate habit, Chatila devises a risky scheme for a daring heist.

As a passionate cinephile, when I embarked on creating “To a Land Unknown,” I sought to depart from contemporary dramas about immigration. In my conversation with EbMaster, I expressed my desire to honor my beloved cinema – specifically, the gritty crime films of Martin Scorsese and Brian De Palma from the 1970s New York era. Consequently, I wove a suspenseful heist tale set in Greece, where the primary characters may not be traditional heroes.

The film’s main praise point is its ability to foster empathy for its characters, akin to Italian neorealist masterpiece ‘Bicycle Thieves.’ However, unlike the latter, it pushes boundaries, challenging viewers to maintain their sympathies with Chatila and Reda as the plot progresses and the stakes escalate, becoming increasingly serious as they resort to committing crimes in their quest for a normal life that many viewers take for granted, according to Catherine Bray’s review in EbMaster’s .

She emphasized that the challenge of maintaining our fundamental humanity, especially when we’re not being given humane treatment, is a crucial issue, which she conveyed passionately and vividly.

The North American distribution agreement was finalized between François Morisset, the managing director of Salaud Morisset, and Hamza Ali, co-founder of Watermelon, as well as Munir Atalla, head of acquisitions for Watermelon, and Justin DiPietro, who has recently joined MPI Media Group as executive VP.

François Morisset expressed his excitement about partnering with Watermelon for the North American debut of ‘To a Land Unknown.’ He believes that with their experience in managing significant films, they’ll handle the release skillfully and carefully.

Mahdi Fleifel’s movie has left audiences and critics spellbound by its compelling narrative and heartfelt empathy. At Watermelon Pictures, we stand firmly behind films that strike a deep emotional chord, and ‘To a Land Unknown’ serves as a testament to this dedication. This was the viewpoint shared by Hamza Ali, one of the co-founders of Watermelon Pictures.

To a Land Unknown” is created by Geoff Arbourne from Inside Out Films in the U.K., alongside Nakba FilmWorks of Fleifel, Morisset for Salaud in France and Germany, Maria Drandaki from Homemade Films in Greece, and Layla Meijman and Maarten van der Ven from Studio Ruba in the Netherlands.

A production company named Watermelon Pictures, which carries a tribute to Palestinian resistance, was established by brothers Hamza Ali and Badie Ali, with Alana Hadid serving as the Creative Director. This company is deeply embedded in Palestinian culture and creativity, creating, marketing, and nurturing groundbreaking work that educates, entertains, and motivates the world to confront injustice, appreciate diverse voices, and envision a unified, liberated future.

2024-09-08 19:46

Watermelon Takes Mahdi Fleifel’s Cannes Directors’ Fortnight Hit ‘To a Land Unknown’ for North America (EXCLUSIVE)

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