HAWI Set To Premiere At Rotterdam International Film Festival

Egypt Mon 17-05-2010

HAWI Set To Premiere At Rotterdam International Film Festival
Press Release Courtesy Of The Hawi Team

"I learnt to be a juggler…
I learnt to hold my tears when grieving…"- Massar Egbari

Cairo, Egypt – A new Feature Film "Hawi" (or the Juggler) is set to be released January 2011 at the Rotterdam International Film Festival, Netherlands, which is one of the most prestigious and influential international film festivals.

Hawi is the latest film for the prominent Egyptian filmmaker, Ibrahim El Batout, who elevated independent cinema in Egypt to a whole new level; markedly with his last multiple-award-winning feature film "Ein Shams" (2008), which received remarkable international recognition.

Industry Party At The Rotterdam Festival

Hawi is a purely independent effort, shot with a next-to-nothing budget, creating a new out-of-the-ordinary independent movement in Egypt, which believes in making meaningful and entertaining films, without having to queue indefinitely at production houses for funding, or wait for permissions.

Hawi, like all Batout's films, recreates real-life stories, addresses all Egyptians with their own language- nonetheless creates an air of contemplation and intrigue for its audience, making them feel part of the film, yet keeping the exquisite cinematic experience at its best.

It is noteworthy that the film received the 2010 Hubert Bals Post Production Fund of the Rotterdam International Film Festival.

Hawi is the first Egyptian film ever to receive this fund (in this category), which is indicative that genuine independent cinema – made with modest resources, but profound passion and professionalism- not only can meet international standards, but most importantly can compete fearlessly with pictures from around the globe made with colossal budgets.

It is worth mentioning here that the basis on which the film cast and crew intersected was their true passion and love for a cinema that has a significant message and role in mass-consciousness, as the film cast and crew didn't receive any fees for their work, regardless of their level of professionalism.

This opens the door for a new school of cinema professionals and lovers in its true sense, away from mere financial aspirations.

The film is so far planned to be marketed in Egypt, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, among other countries. Hawi is scheduled to screen in multiple regional and international film festivals during 2011.

A Premiere Screening for the film will be held in Egypt during March 2011 (exact date and details to be determined later).

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