The Maskoon Fantastic Film Festival, the Middle East’s sole event dedicated to modern genre cinema, is set to feature Mohamed Ben Attia’s acclaimed feature, Behind the Mountains, in its lineup this October 4th.
The Tunisian filmmaker’s latest work delves into the story of Rafik, a father determined to prove his son possesses a unique gift: the ability to fly. Undeterred by his wife’s skepticism and his in-laws’ resistance, Rafik pulls his son out of school, embarking on a journey that serves as both an escape and a proof of belief. Their path leads them to a shepherd and temporary refuge in a country house, where their quest takes an unforeseen and dramatic turn.
Ben Attia, who first garnered international attention by winning the Best First Feature Award at the Berlin International Film Festival for Hedi, returns with this intimately crafted drama. The film boasts a cast including Samer Bisharat, Walid Bouchhioua, Salma Zeghidi, and Helmi Dridi.
Behind the Mountains carries a significant pedigree of international support. The project was a double recipient of the Red Sea Fund, securing grants for both production (2021) and post-production (2022). Ben Attia himself also contributes to the region’s film community as an instructor for the Red Sea Lodge.
The film’s production was a collaborative international effort, co-produced by companies in Tunisia (Nomadis Images), Belgium (Les Films Du Fleuve), and Italy (010films), with cinematography handled by Frédéric Noirhomme.
Global distribution for Behind the Mountains is managed by Luxbox, with MAD Solutions overseeing sales in the Arab world. The Maskoon Fantastic Film Festival, held in Beirut, specializes in bringing horror, thriller, fantasy, sci-fi, and action films from across the globe to Arab audiences.
TunisianMonitorOnline (NejiMed)
