
Palestinian film ‘A House in Jerusalem' now available on Shahid
Arabic streaming platform Shahid has released Palestinian filmmaker Muayad Alayan's third feature film, A House in Jerusalem.
Directed by Muayad Alayan, who co-wrote the screenplay with Rami Alayan, A House in Jerusalem made its world premiere at the 2023 International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR). The film has garnered recognition at various renowned festivals worldwide, including the Boston Palestine Film Festival and the Seattle International Film Festival in the United States, as well as the Mostra de Valencia—Cinema del Mediterrani in Spain, the Athens Palestine Film Festival in Greece, and the Palestinian Film Festival in Australia.
Notably, A House in Jerusalem was the sole Arab project selected for the 36th edition of the IFFR Pro's Production Market.
Featuring an ensemble cast including Johnny Harris, Makran Khoury, Souad Feres, Miley Locke, and Sheherazade Makhoul Farrell, A House in Jerusalem follows the journey of young Rebecca, who is compelled to relocate with her father from the UK to Jerusalem in the hopes of finding solace and healing following her mother's sudden passing.
As Rebecca settles into an old house in a neighbourhood known as the 'Valley of the Ghosts,' a series of mysterious events unfold, with Rebecca bearing the blame. The film delves deep into the mysteries of the house and the mystical city of Jerusalem, as Rebecca embarks on an enigmatic quest to uncover the secrets that lurk in the shadows of the house.
The film's production involved collaboration among several entities, including PalCine Productions in Palestine, Wellington Films in the UK, Red Balloon Films in Germany, Metafora Production in Qatar, and Key Film. MAD Solutions is managing the distribution of the film across the Arab world.
The film also received several development funds from the Doha Film Institute, Netherlands Film Fund, MOIN Film Fund Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein, British Film Institute, and French Consulate General Jerusalem. Additionally, it received the Filmmore Postproduction Award and the AFAC's Cinema Grant.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Gulf Today
10 minutes ago
- Gulf Today
UAEBBY events unveil shadow theatre, story art
The UAE Board on Books for Young People (UAEBBY) is running a series of interactive events for children and young adults throughout July. Organised in collaboration with House of Wisdom in Sharjah and Abu Dhabi Children's Library, the summer programme is part of the ongoing 'Read. Dream. Create.' campaign. It aims to nurture storytelling skills, encourage creative thinking and self-expression, and offer a joyful, value-driven educational experience inspired by the power of stories. A key highlight of the programme is a weekly shadow theatre series hosted under the title Kalila wa Dimna Summer Camp, held every Tuesday from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at House of Wisdom. These storytelling sessions introduce children aged 8 to 12 to selected tales from the classic Kalila wa Dimna, presented through shadow puppetry and live narration. Designed to spark curiosity and convey values such as wisdom, courage, and cooperation, the performances invite children to reflect and engage directly with the stories. Emirati and Arab storytellers including Mohammed Dashti and Samia Ayish lead the sessions, each presenting a new tale every week. Children are encouraged to take part in retelling and reconstructing the narratives in their own way, promoting active learning through creativity and imagination. The book Kalila wa Dimna is a cornerstone of classical world literature, known for its enduring wisdom told through animal fables. Translated into dozens of languages and deeply rooted in Arab cultural heritage since the 8th century, its symbolic tales deliver life lessons in a simple, impactful style. The stories remain a valuable educational reference for promoting moral thinking and ethical decision-making among young readers. In Abu Dhabi, the board marked World Youth Skills Day with an art workshop titled A Ship Towards Dreams, held at the Abu Dhabi Children's Library. Led by Fatima Al Ameri, the session invited children aged 6 to 14 to design symbolic ships that reflect their dreams, personal values, and aspirations. Through guided artistic exploration, participants were encouraged to visualise their goals in a creative, supportive setting. These initiatives are part of the board's broader commitment to creating safe, enriching learning environments where children can explore their identities, imagine freely, and develop important life skills. By combining literature with hands-on artistic tools, the programme reconnects young audiences with the values of storytelling, wisdom, and creativity in a way that is both fun and transformative. WAM


Sharjah 24
17 hours ago
- Sharjah 24
Sharjah panel explores directing styles in Emirati theatre
Opening remarks: celebrating a dedicated critic Magdy Mahfouz introduced Said Ahmed as one of the most dedicated observers of Emirati theatre, known for his consistent presence at festivals and performances. He noted that Said Ahmed's longstanding involvement in theatrical critique has given him deep insight into the evolution of theatre in the UAE, particularly in the field of directing, which Mahfouz described as the foundation of any successful performance. Early stages of Emirati theatre directing Mahfouz outlined that theatrical direction in the UAE began in the 1970s with the founding of clubs and theatre troupes. In its early days, Arab directors and trainers played a key role in developing the local scene by training young Emiratis and guiding them from amateur productions to professional theatre. Defining a directing style Mohamed Said Ahmed began his talk by defining a director's style as a personal, recognisable approach that emerges through experience. He explained that such a style is shaped by a fusion of influences from various directing schools and methodologies. The challenge, he added, lies in synthesising these influences into a cohesive artistic language that balances inspiration with originality. Pioneers and early contributors Said Ahmed paid tribute to Arab theatre pioneers who laid the foundation for directing in the UAE, including Saqr Al-Rashoud, Ibrahim Jallal, Yahya Al-Hajj, Youssef Eidabi, Abdelilah Fouad Al-Shatti, Youssef Khalil, Al-Moncef Al-Souissi, and Zaki Tulaimat. Abdullah Al Mannaei and the 'theatre of image' He highlighted Abdullah Al Mannaei as a founding figure in Emirati theatre directing, known for his 'theatre of image' style. Al Mannaei prioritised non-verbal storytelling through gesture, movement, and visual composition. His legacy paved the way for his students and younger directors to explore new artistic directions. Three leading Emirati directors Mohammed Al Ameri: visual imagination and collaborative writing Said Ahmed described Mohammed Al Ameri's directing style as visually driven, where the director imagines scenes as individual images and then weaves them together through the story. Al Ameri places strong emphasis on scenography, group dynamics, and actor performance. He often develops scripts through a workshop approach, working closely with playwrights to shape both the text and the visual concept before staging. Naji Al Hai: human-centred and minimalist direction Naji Al Hai, a distinguished playwright and director, is known for his emotionally resonant, socially rooted works such as A Grain of Sand, Zacharia My Love, and Bab Al Baraha. His minimalist aesthetic focuses on the actor as the central element, supported by simple sets and costumes. Despite the local themes, his work carries a broader humanist message. He was the first Emirati director to present plays in Europe, including in France and Spain. Hassan Rajab: academic discipline and visual appeal The third director profiled was Hassan Rajab, whose academic training at the Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts in Kuwait influenced his structured and visually rich directing style. His productions, such as Red Dust, Father for Sale or Rent, and Ashoofak, show a blend of directorial schools, a controlled rhythm, and a strong sense of visual design. Rajab often employs innovative staging devices and integrates humour drawn from the Emirati dialect. Experimentation and innovation in stagecraft Said Ahmed praised Rajab's inventive techniques, such as using spotlights to signal scenes before they begin, or seating an actor on a fixed chair to represent theatre within theatre. In Hamiha Haramiha, he placed actors in symbolic wooden boxes representing social hierarchy, illustrating his creative approach to stage composition. Closing reflections and tributes Mohammed Al Ameri concluded the session with a heartfelt message of thanks to His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, for his unwavering support of theatre and the arts. He also confirmed many of the observations made by Said Ahmed about his own directing approach—particularly his focus on image, scenography, and integration of digital and natural elements. Al Ameri paid tribute to the Arab directors who helped lay the foundations for theatre in the UAE, including Al-Moncef Al-Souissi, Saqr Al-Rashoud, Fouad Al-Shatti, Yahya Al-Hajj, Ahmed Abdel Halim, and Qasim Mohammed, acknowledging their lasting influence on the local scene.


Broadcast Pro
20 hours ago
- Broadcast Pro
Four MAD films to compete at Durban International Film Festival
Together, these four films underscore the diversity and strength of contemporary Arab and African cinema, bringing socially resonant stories to a global audience. Four films from MAD Solutions are set to compete at the 46th edition of the Durban International Film Festival, taking place in South Africa from July 17 to 27. The selection includes A Promised Sky, Sudan, Remember Us, Samia and Aisha Can't Fly Away, all of which bring distinct stories from across the Arab and African worlds. Tunisian director Erige Sehiri's A Promised Sky will make its African premiere in the festival's Feature Competition section. Fresh from its debut at the Cannes Film Festival, the film follows the lives of three immigrant women, Marie, Naney and Jolie, living together in Tunis. Their bond deepens as they take in Kenza, a survivor of a shipwreck, only to find their newfound family challenged by personal and collective crises. Featuring performances by Aïssa Maïga, Deborah Christelle Lobe Naney and Laetitia Ky, the film will screen on July 27 at 7:15 pm at Suncoast 8. In the Documentary Competition, Sudan, Remember Us by Hind Meddeb offers a powerful portrait of Sudanese youth resisting military oppression through art and poetry. The film follows four activists, Shajane, Maha, Khatab and Muzamil, as they voice their defiance against dictatorship with stirring verses and protest. The documentary will screen on July 20 at 2:30 pm at Suncoast 8 and again on July 23 at 7 pm at Suncoast 5. Aisha Can't Fly Away, directed by Egypt's Morad Mostafa, also arrives after a world premiere at Cannes and will hold its African premiere at Durban. Though not in competition, the film tells the story of Aisha, a Sudanese caregiver living in Cairo who is determined to change her fate. As she navigates the undercurrents of migration, crime and racism, her resilience is put to the test. The cast includes model Buliana Simon and rapper Ziad Zaza, with cinematography by director of photography Mostafa El Kashef. Screenings are scheduled for July 20 at 11:30 am and July 26 at 7 pm, both at Suncoast 5. Yasemine Şamdereli's Samia, based on a true story, chronicles the life of a young Somali girl who dreams of becoming an Olympic runner while confronting social restrictions in Mogadishu. Her journey, driven by passion and defiance, offers a deeply inspiring narrative. The film stars Ilham Mohamed Osman, Fathia Mohamed Absie, Fatah Ghedi and Elmi Rashid Elmi, and will be shown on July 20 at 5 pm at Pavilion 12 and again at the same time on July 27 at Ballito Junction.