The El Gouna Film Festival (GFF) has unveiled a first selection of thirteen films that will participate in its various sections and will compete for the prestigious prizes “L’Etoile El Gouna” during the seventh edition, which will take place from October 24 to November 1, 2024. This year, selection, including fiction and documentary films, presents some of the most remarkable works of the world cinema.
Marianne Khoury, artistic director of the El Gouna film festival, said: ” Since its creation, the El Gouna Film Festival has committed to serve as a bridge between cultures and platform for emerging filmmakers. This year’s selection reaffirms this commitment. “For his part, Andrew Mohsen, head of the GFF programming, added:” We strive to maintain the reputation of the El Gouna Film Festival by welcoming the most notable films of the year, while highlighting new cinematographic voices in competition for various prizes. »»
The selected films, from different regions of the world, offer the public unique and unpublished experiences, guaranteeing a rich and complete cinematographic journey. These works have already been recognized for their excellence at prestigious international festivals.
Among the films in competition, the magnificent The substanceproduced by the French filmmaker Coralie Fargeat. Co-produced by the United Kingdom, the United States and France, This film won the prize for the best screenplay at the Cannes Film Festival, but would have won the Grand Prix. The substance tells the story of a decline celebrity that decides to use a black market drug capable of temporarily creating a younger and improved version of itself. The film is distinguished by its bold approach and its reflection on the themes of identity and aging.
Soundtrack to coup d’etatDirected by Johan Grimonprez, is a Franco-Belgian-Néerlandese production which was awarded the public prize for global dramatic cinema and the special award of the documentary jury for cinematographic innovation at the Sundance Festival. This captivating documentary explores how jazz music and soft power were used during the ideological battles of America during the Cold War, especially in Congo. The film is distinguished by its dynamic narration and its original angle on the history of the 20th century.
Elementary (Or Learn), directed by Claire Simon, is a French film which was screened in a special session in Cannes. The documentary immerses us in a public elementary school in the Paris suburbs, where children seek to learn and be encouraged, while teachers also take on the role of educators. This film offers a touching and realistic immersion in the daily life of a public school, highlighting the challenges and joys of education.
Strangerproduced by Sino-American filmmaker Zhengfan Yang, is a co-production between the United States, China, the Netherlands, Norway and France. Winner of the Proxima Competition Grand Prix at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, this film takes place entirely in hotel rooms, where each individual is a stranger. Each episode is filmed in a single sequence, offering total immersion in the intimacy of the characters and exploring the themes of isolation and anonymity.
Girls Will Be Girlsproduced by Shuchi Talati, is a co-production between India, France, the United States and Norway. This film tells the story of Mira, a 16 -year -old teenager in a strict internship of the Himalayas, who discovers desire and romance. His sexual and rebellious awakening is however disturbed by his mother, who has never had the opportunity to live her own adolescence. This film, which was rewarded in Sundance and the Sofia International Film Festival for its performances and its production, explores the themes of female emancipation and mother-daughter relations.
Toxicdirected by Lithuanian filmmaker Saulė Bliuitė, won four prizes at the Locarno festival, including the prestigious gold leopard. This film immerses us in the life of two teenage girls who dream of escaping the gloom of their small town and binds in a school of models, where the promises of a better life push them to increasingly extreme behaviors. The film denounces social pressures and explores the consequences of the quest for perfection in a world obsessed with appearance.
Ghost Trail From Jonathan Millet, a co -production between France, Germany and Belgium, opened the Critique de Cannes. This thriller follows Hamid, a member of a secret group tracking down the fugitive leaders of the Syrian regime. His mission leads him to France, in the footsteps of his former torturer. The film addresses themes of justice, revenge and reconciliation with the past.
Dying (Or Sterben), produced by the German Matthias Glasner, was rewarded by the silver bear for the best scenario in the Berlinale. This family drama follows the Lunies family, a long time disunited, who finds himself faced with the death of a loved one, causing reunion and unexpected confrontations. The film explores the themes of the family, mourning and unsaid.
Directed by the British Andrea Arnold, Sneakya co-production between the United Kingdom and France was selected in competition in Cannes. The film follows Bailey, a 12 -year -old girl living with her single father and her brother in a Kent squat. In search of attention and adventure, Bailey explores new ways to escape his reality, in a poignant portrait of youth and self -research.
A Traveler’s Needsproduced by the South Korean Hong Sangsoo, won the Grand Prix of the Berlinan Silver Bear Jury. The film follows a mysterious woman without resources, who teaches French to survive and find comfort in Makgeolli, a Korean alcoholic drink. This minimalist drama explores the themes of wandering, loneliness and resilience.
In Caught by the TidesChinese director Jia Zhang-Ke tells a fragile love story that takes place in China, from the late 2000s to today. The protagonists, Qiaoqiao and Bin, are taken in the torments of city life, and their relationship is put to the test when Bin decides to go try his luck elsewhere. The film explores the themes of love, loss and quest for identity.
Flowan animated film directed by Latvian Gints Zilbalodis, is a co -production between Latvia, Belgium and France. The film won four prizes at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, including jury and public prizes. It tells the story of a lonely cat who finds refuge on a boat after a devastating flood, and who must learn to collaborate with other animals despite their differences, in a parable on cooperation and tolerance.
Finally, Sounds (Or Voger), produced by the Danish Gustav Müller, is a co -production between Denmark and Sweden. The film was rewarded at the Hong Kong International Film Festival and competition in La Berlinale. He follows Eva, an idealistic prison guard confronted with a personal dilemma when a young man in his past is transferred to the establishment where she works. The film tackles themes of justice, redemption and confrontation with the past.
The seventh edition of the El Gouna Film Festival promises to be an unmissable event for cinema lovers, with a selection that celebrates the diversity and excellence of world cinema. These works, which approach various and current subjects, reflect the richness of human experiences through the prism of different cultures and cinematographic perspectives.
