Lengthy-time collaborators Cairo-based Film Clinic and Dubai-based Entrance Row Productions are becoming a member of forces with Saudi Arabian firms Arabia Pictures Group and Rotana Studios to provide native rom-com A Matter of Life and Death.
The Jeddah-shot characteristic will revolve across the romance between two unconventional characters: Hayat, a superstitious younger girl who’s satisfied she’s cursed, and Yousef, a shy coronary heart surgeon coping with a bafflingly sluggish heartbeat. Their fates collide as she is wishing for an finish, whereas he’s wrestling with even darker ideas.
The characteristic shall be directed by Anas Ba-Tahaf, whose 2021 drama Fay’s Palette, a couple of lady cloistered in her dwelling by a controlling brother, was one of many first Saudi options to be made following the lifting of the nation’s 35-year cinema ban in 2017.
Author and actor Sarah Taibah, who took co-writing credit on Saudi fantasy drama Hwjn, is lead author. She and Ba-Tahaf beforehand collaborated on the hit TV sequence Jameel Jeddan, during which she additionally starred as a woman who wakes up from a coma after 5 years.
Taibah, who additionally appeared in Saudi hit Mandoob, will star as Hayat reverse Yaqoub Alfarhan, who made waves internationally earlier this yr for his efficiency in Cannes 2024 Un Sure Regard choice Norah as a trainer posted to a rural village in Nineties Saudi Arabia.
The native star’s credit additionally embrace Rashash and the upcoming Telfaz11 manufacturing AlGhaid.
The romcom was introduced on the fringes of the fourth version of the Red Sea Film Festival in Jeddah, which is at the moment laying on its greatest market since its launch in 2021.
“We’re completely excited to unveil this one-of-a-kind Saudi story,” says Movie Clinic producer Moh Hefzy. “Sarah and Anas have woven a story that not solely captivates but additionally strikes a chord by authentically showcasing the richness of human connections and the pleasant quirks of life whereas exploring common dilemmas”.
Entrance Row CEO Gianluca Chakra mentioned the cooperation on the movie was an indication of the rising pan-MENA movie and TV ecosystem rising within the area.
“This collaboration highlights how important partnerships are for elevating the manufacturing trade in Saudi Arabia and the broader area. With this mission, we’re infusing distinctive views into our movies, in the end enriching the panorama,” he mentioned.
Principal pictures is ready to start in Jeddah on January 18, 2025
Entrance Row and Movie Clinic beforehand teamed up on hit Excellent Strangers, Netflix’s first native language authentic for the MENA area.
Arabia Photos Group and Movie Clinic beforehand collaborated on drama Flight 404, which stars Mona Zaki and Mohamed Farrag, and is Egypt’s Oscar entry this yr. Arabia Photos has previous kind within the rom-com style having produced 2023 image #Gawwezni (aka Marry Me) starring U.Okay.-Egyptian star Amir El-Masry.
Rotana Studio is the manufacturing arm of the Rotana Media Group, one among Saudi Arabia’s greatest media and leisure firms alongside MBC.
