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‘Tetes brulees' to make MENA premiere at Amman International Film Festival

‘Tetes brulees' to make MENA premiere at Amman International Film Festival

Broadcast Pro8 hours ago
MAD World oversees the film's international sales, while MAD Distribution manages its distribution across the MENA region.
After its world premiere at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, where it received two Special Mentions in the Generation 14plus section, Têtes brûlées is heading to Jordan for its MENA premiere at the sixth edition of the Amman International Film Festival.
The film will screen on July 6 at 10:00 p.m. at Taj Cinema and again on July 9 at 8:00 p.m. at the Royal Film Commission.
A Belgian production infused with Tunisian influences, Têtes brûlées is a coming-of-age drama centred on 12-year-old Eya, who struggles to cope with the sudden loss of her older brother Younès. Bound by an unbreakable connection, Eya finds herself navigating a structured and emotional grieving process, leaning on her creativity, resilience, and Younès' close friends to make sense of her loss and move forward.
The film has also garnered critical acclaim, with Aurore Engelen of Cineuropa describing it as 'a film of few words but many gestures—hands reaching out, arms embracing and consoling.' She commended Zellama's sensitive direction, noting her ability to 'capture both the strength and fragility of these moments.'
Written and directed by Belgian-Tunisian-Danish filmmaker Maja Ajmia Zellama, Têtes brûlées is produced by Komoko, with co-productions by Quetzalcoatl and 1080 Films. Zellama, a graduate of the LUCA School of Arts, is also the co-founder and president of ASBL Bledarte, a Brussels-based organisation dedicated to empowering immigrant youth through art and culture.
The film's production team includes producers Marc Goyens and Nabil Ben Yadir, cinematographer Grimm Vandekerckhove, editor Dieter Diependaele, production designer Eve Martin, casting director Marie McCourt, and sound designer David Vranken. Têtes brûlées is represented for international sales by MAD World, while MAD Distribution is overseeing its release across the MENA region.
The film features Safa Gharbaoui, Mehdi Bouziane, Mounir Amamra (DIVINES), Adnane El Haruati, Saber Tabi, Nicolas Makola, Mehdi Zellama and Monia Taieb.
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‘Tetes brulees' to make MENA premiere at Amman International Film Festival
‘Tetes brulees' to make MENA premiere at Amman International Film Festival

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‘Tetes brulees' to make MENA premiere at Amman International Film Festival

MAD World oversees the film's international sales, while MAD Distribution manages its distribution across the MENA region. After its world premiere at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, where it received two Special Mentions in the Generation 14plus section, Têtes brûlées is heading to Jordan for its MENA premiere at the sixth edition of the Amman International Film Festival. The film will screen on July 6 at 10:00 p.m. at Taj Cinema and again on July 9 at 8:00 p.m. at the Royal Film Commission. A Belgian production infused with Tunisian influences, Têtes brûlées is a coming-of-age drama centred on 12-year-old Eya, who struggles to cope with the sudden loss of her older brother Younès. Bound by an unbreakable connection, Eya finds herself navigating a structured and emotional grieving process, leaning on her creativity, resilience, and Younès' close friends to make sense of her loss and move forward. The film has also garnered critical acclaim, with Aurore Engelen of Cineuropa describing it as 'a film of few words but many gestures—hands reaching out, arms embracing and consoling.' She commended Zellama's sensitive direction, noting her ability to 'capture both the strength and fragility of these moments.' Written and directed by Belgian-Tunisian-Danish filmmaker Maja Ajmia Zellama, Têtes brûlées is produced by Komoko, with co-productions by Quetzalcoatl and 1080 Films. Zellama, a graduate of the LUCA School of Arts, is also the co-founder and president of ASBL Bledarte, a Brussels-based organisation dedicated to empowering immigrant youth through art and culture. The film's production team includes producers Marc Goyens and Nabil Ben Yadir, cinematographer Grimm Vandekerckhove, editor Dieter Diependaele, production designer Eve Martin, casting director Marie McCourt, and sound designer David Vranken. Têtes brûlées is represented for international sales by MAD World, while MAD Distribution is overseeing its release across the MENA region. The film features Safa Gharbaoui, Mehdi Bouziane, Mounir Amamra (DIVINES), Adnane El Haruati, Saber Tabi, Nicolas Makola, Mehdi Zellama and Monia Taieb.

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