EXCLUSIVE: Cercamon has acquired the international sales rights to Saudi director Tawfik Alzaidi’s first feature film Norah ahead of its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival’s Un Certain Regard.
Norah will make history this May as the first ever Saudi feature to play in the official Cannes selection. This achievement comes six years after Saudi Arabia announced the end of its 35-year cinema ban and is a sign of the vibrant cinema scene that has emerged since then.
Set in Saudi Arabia in the 1990s, when artistic expression was banned, the feature film follows aspiring teacher and clandestine artist Nader, who is sent for his first job to a remote village, where he connects with a young woman whose lives have been suppressed by the age. of conservatism.
She ignites his creativity and inspires him to paint again. At great risk, they develop a delicate bond and a quiet bond. Nader informs Norah about the wider world outside her small community and she realizes that she must leave, seeking a place where she can be free to express her artistic self.
“We are very pleased to represent Norah from Tawfik Alzaidi for international sales and help bring it to the global market. This groundbreaking film, which captures the spirit of Saudi Arabia in the 1990s through its moving story of artistic and personal awakening, represents an important moment for Saudi cinema on the world stage,” said Sebastien Chesneau, CEO of Cercamon.
“Norah is a powerful statement about the power of art and expression. We believe the universal themes of struggle, creativity and resilience will resonate deeply with a global audience.”
Cercamon is handling sales for all territories, with the exception of MENA, where the rights were acquired late last year by Dubai-based distribution and production house Front Row Filmed Entertainment.
Chesneau’s company, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary, processes up to eight films a year.
Recent sales titles include Vietnamese drama Inside the yellow cocoon shellwhich premiered last year at Directors’ Fortnight and went on to win the Camera d’Or for best feature film in the Official Selection and Parallel Sections of Cannes.
The sales mandate agreement for Norah was brokered by Paul Chesney, CEO of Riyadh-based acquisition and distribution company TwentyOne Entertainment, whose sister company is Red Palm Pictures, which is producing Alzaidi’s next film.
“I am very happy to welcome Cercamon on board. During our distribution process with Norah“It has been extremely important to us that we partner with like-minded companies who share our vision for this beautiful film and the goals and values of the TwentyOne Entertainment team,” said Chesney.
The Norah cast includes rising Saudi star Yaqoub Alfarhan (Rash), newcomer Maria Bahrawi and critically acclaimed veteran actor Abdullah Alsadhan (Tash ma Tash).
The film’s script won a fund prize from the Saudi Film Commission’s Daw Film Competition, an initiative of the Saudi Ministry of Culture to support and encourage the next generation of Saudi filmmakers. Norah is the first Saudi feature film to be shot entirely within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of AlUla.
