What Middle Eastern Films are Featuring at the Venice Film Festival?

The 80th Venice International Film Festival will run from Aug. 30 until Sep. 9 at Venice Lido. Here are some exciting Middle Eastern films that will feature at the Venice Film Festival 2023.

Middle Eastern Films at the Venice Film Festival 2023:

Behind the Mountains

Tunisian auteur Mohamed Ben Attia will present his film 'Behind the Mountains' at the festival. 

The film is funded by the Red Sea Foundation and is a six-country production including Saudi Arabia and Qatar. 

Attia's film will feature in the Horizons category at the festival.

'Behind the Mountains' is a story about a man named Rafik who has spent four years in jail and after he gets out, he just wants to take his son behind the mountains and share with him his discovery.

Sea Salt

Photographer and filmmaker Leila Basma's short film 'Sea Salt' will premiere in the Horizons short film competition at the festival. 

The film revolves around a 17-year-old named Nayla who is faced with the dilemma of leaving or staying in Lebanon. 

And if the Sun Plunged into the Ocean of Clouds

Beirut-born director Wissam Chiraf shares the story of the security guard Raed who prevents pedestrians from accessing the seafront because of ongoing construction work. 

The film is another Lebanese short film that will feature in the Horizons short film competition. 

In the Shadow of the Cypress

This is an Iranian animated short film, which will also feature in the Horizons category.

The film is about an ex-caption suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. 

He lives with his daughter at sea and one day, something unexpected happens, which changes their lives forever. 

The film is co-directed by Hossein Molayemi and Shirin Sohani.

Harmonica

'Saz Dahani' or 'Harmonica' is also an Iranian film that will feature in the Venice Classics category.

The story is about a young boy who receives a harmonica, which makes him the center of attention and a cause of envy. 

The film is directed by Amir Naderi.