Egyptian director Mohamed Rashad’s film The Settlement is set to screen at the Middle East Now festival in Florence on July 23, following its international debut at the Berlinale. According to MAD Films, this marks the film’s third showing in Italy, highlighting its growing recognition and critical acclaim.
The Settlement, which Rashad directed, wrote, and produced, delves into class, labour, and survival themes. The narrative revolves around two brothers, Hossam and Maro, who are compelled to work at a factory after their father dies in an industrial accident. While the job is presented as compensation for their loss, the situation becomes more complicated when they encounter the individual responsible for their father’s death, who still works at the facility. Hossam faces challenges as he tries to adjust to the harsh realities of factory life and earn the trust of his father’s former colleagues. Meanwhile, 12-year-old Maro relinquishes his education to join Hossam on the factory floor, highlighting the issue of child labour within the storyline.
The film has been lauded for its emotional resonance and authenticity, particularly for the performances of non-professional actors Adham Shoukry and Ziad Islam, who embody the two brothers. Their compelling bond serves as the film’s emotional core, which explores themes of loss, resilience, and the intricate dynamics of workplace power.
Produced by Hala Lotfy of Hassala Films in Cairo, The Settlement benefits from co-production support from partners in France, Germany, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. The film’s upcoming screening is part of the Middle East Now festival, organised by the Florence-based non-profit MAP OF CREATION. This organisation uses cinema and documentary filmmaking to illuminate the Middle East’s contemporary social, political, and cultural issues, promoting dialogue and integration through visual storytelling.
Throughout its development, The Settlement received backing from various international funding institutions, including the Berlinale World Cinema Fund, IFFR’s Hubert Bals Fund Script and Development Initiative, Hubert Bals Plus Co-Production Minority Support, Doha Film Institute, Arab Fund for Arts and Culture, Red Sea Development Fund, Fonds Image De La Francophonie, and El Gouna Film Festival’s CineGouna Platform.
MAD World manages worldwide sales for the film, while MAD Distribution oversees its release in the Arab region.
