After its successful screenings at the Venice Film Festival in Italy and the Cinemamed Mediterranean Film Festival in Belgium, the Egyptian film ‘Seeking Haven for Mr Rambo’ premiered in Egyptian cinemas on January 1, 2025, and will see a wider release across Arab countries starting January 9.
Produced by Mohamed Hefzy through Film Clinic, this film marks Rasha Hosny’s debut as a feature film producer, with global distribution handled by Film Clinic Indie Distribution. ‘Seeking Haven for Mr Rambo’ has received multiple accolades, including the Visual Identity and DCP Services Award from Creative Media Solutions at the fifth Amman Film Industry Days (AFID) and Amman Project Market. It also secured production grants from the Red Sea Film Fund and the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture (AFAC), as well as Fonds Image de la Francophonie.
The screenplay, crafted by Mohamed El-Hosseiny and Khaled Mansour, features performances by Essam Omar, Rakin Saad, Sama Ibrahim, and Ahmed Bahaa.
‘Seeking Haven for Mr Rambo’ follows the journey of a young man, Hassan, who must confront his past fears to rescue his beloved dog and best friend, Rambo, from an uncertain fate.
In his thirties, Hassan lives with his mother and Rambo in a struggling neighbourhood. He despises the idea of holding a steady job, but his mother’s insistence on contributing to their household expenses drives him to return to his former job selling sandwiches for Shiko.
One fateful night, upon returning home, Hassan finds himself in a confrontation with Karem, a neighbour and car mechanic. A heated argument ends with Karem physically assaulting Hassan, prompting Rambo to intervene and bite Karem.
After recovering, Karem seeks to reclaim his pride, and the neighbourhood suggests that Hassan give Rambo to him. Determined to protect his dog, Hassan refuses, thrusting himself into a challenging situation.
With help from his friend, Ahmed, who works at a low-income governmental veterinary hospital, and Asmaa, a girl who has feelings for him, Hassan embarks on a quest to relocate Rambo to a haven. However, Hassan is under constant surveillance, with Karem’s influence looming over their neighbourhood.
Eventually, Hassan receives assistance from Jamila, an animal rights activist, leading him to secure a shelter for Rambo outside the country. This act drives Karem to a breaking point, resulting in Hassan and his mother being forced from their home, leaving them with an uncertain future.
