A GAZA WEEKEND

When a mutant virus breaks out in Israel, the country is cut off from the rest of the world and its inhabitants desperately look for a way to escape. Gaza, protected by its separation wall, has ironically become the only safe place in the region. Among those trying to reach it are Michael, a British journalist, and Keren, his Israeli girlfriend. With the help of two Palestinian hustlers, they manage to cross into Gaza, but soon find themselves trapped there. As their unlikely group struggles to survive and evade the authorities, cultural misunderstandings and tensions gradually give way to an unexpected sense of solidarity.

Directed by Basil Khalil
Screenplay Basil Khalil Daniel Ka-Chun Chan
Cast Stephen Mangan Mouna Hawa Adam Bakri Loai Nofi Maria Zreik
Music Alex Baranowski
Cinematography Eric Raphael Mizrahi Lasse Ulvedal Tolbøll
Editing Victoria Boydell Shahnaz Dulaimy
Production Companies Alcove Entertainment Philistine Films BFI Film4
Toronto International Film Festival — TIFF
2022 | Discovery — World Premiere
FIPRESCI Prize
Red Sea International Film Festival
2022 | Festival Favorites
Kosmorama Trondheim International Film Festival
2023 | New Directors
Amman International Film Festival
2023 | Arab Feature-Length Narrative Competition — Opening Film
Nomination — Black Iris Award for Best Arab Feature-Length Narrative
Houston Palestine Film Festival
2023 | Opening Film
Sydney Film Festival
2023 | Official Selection
Kaohsiung Film Festival
2023 | Official Selection — Taiwan Premiere
London Comedy Film Festival — LOCO
2023 | Opening Night Film
Middle East Now — Florence
2023 | Official Selection — Italian Premiere
Middle East Now Audience Award — Best Film
Toronto Palestine Film Festival
2023 | Official Selection — Canadian screening
Palestine Filmer C’est Exister
2023 | Swiss Premiere

NIGHT COURIER

NORAH