Cairo’s Zawya Cinema is set to host the premiere of Egyptian director Mohamed Rashad’s gripping workplace thriller, The Settlement, on April 8 at 7:00 PM. This screening is part of the CineMAD Programme, a regional initiative that presents acclaimed Arab films to local audiences.
Following the film’s debut, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a question-and-answer session featuring Rashad and members of the cast. This interactive portion will allow viewers to engage with the filmmakers and delve into the film’s themes and production journey. Additional screenings of The Settlement are planned in the days following its premiere at Zawya Cinema.
Sublimely inspired by true events, The Settlement is noteworthy for being the only Egyptian film selected for the Perspectives section of the Berlin International Film Festival. The narrative follows two brothers, 23-year-old Hossam and his younger sibling Maro, living in a marginalised community in Alexandria. After their father suffers a fatal accident at a factory, the brothers are offered employment by the responsible company instead of accountability, prompting them to investigate the circumstances surrounding their father’s death more deeply.
Since its impressive debut at Berlinale, the film has gained traction on the international festival circuit, winning the Audience Award at the MiWorld Young Film Festival and screening at Italy’s African, Asian and Latin American Film Festival and Spain’s Afrikaldia Film Festival, where it clinched another Audience Award. It garnered further acclaim at the Oran International Arab Film Festival, where it received the Silver Whir Award, and at the El Gouna Film Festival, where it won the Bronze Star for Best Narrative Film.
Critics have lauded The Settlement for its emotional depth and visual narrative, with many calling it an exceptional Egyptian feature deserving of broader recognition.
The film showcases emerging talents such as Adham Shukr, Ziad Islam, Hajar Omar, Hanaday Abd El Khalek, Mohamed Abdel Hady, and Emad Ghoneim. It features cinematography by Mahmoud Lotfi and editing by Heba Othman. The Settlement is a multi-country co-production among Egypt, France, Germany, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, produced by Hala Lotfy through Hassala Films in collaboration with international partners.
CineMAD, a collaborative effort by MAD World and MAD Distribution, aims to enhance the reach of award-winning Arab cinema throughout the region, reinforcing the visibility of regional narratives.
