The Saudi film "Hajjan" concludes the 14th edition of the Malmo Arab Film Festival
Malmö – April 3, 2024
The Malmö Arab Film Festival announced that the Saudi film “Hajjan” has been chosen as the closing film for the fourteenth edition, scheduled to take place between April 22nd and 28th.
“Hijan” is a Saudi-Egyptian-Jordanian co-production from 2023, written and directed by the Egyptian director Abu Bakr Shawky, starring child actor Omar Al-Atawi in his debut role, along with Azam Nemr, Toleen Barbood, Abdulmohsen Alnemr, Shaimaa Al Tayeb, Ibrahim Alhasawi, and Mohamed Hilal.
The film had its world premiere at the last edition of the Toronto International Film Festival and its nordic premiere at the closing of the Malmö festival. In addition to its impactful story, the film received significant attention after its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. It is produced by the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture “Ithra” and the Egyptian producer Mohamed Hefzy, with Ithra playing a key role in the development of Saudi cinema.
“Hajjan” tells a poignant adventure story that explores the deep bond that can develop between humans and animals. Matar is the youngest child in a Saudi family of camel racers. When his brother falls during a race and is killed, Matar is supposed to move to the city with his family to sell their camel, Hofira, for meat. Instead, he becomes a racer himself, working for a ruthless camel race owner, until he and his camel Hofira are forced to flee together on a dangerous journey across the desert in search of freedom and a better life.
