Mediterranean Fever is the winner of the Un Certain Regard award for best screenplay at Cannes Film Festival (2022). This darkly comic feature film follows Palestinian Waleed as he battles writer’s block and depression at the same time. The film is screened in collaboration with Film Lab Palestine. The screening will be followed by a discussion with the director, Maha Haj.
About the speakers
Maha Haj is a filmmaker with a background in English and Arabic literature. Her storytelling expertise is evident in her work as an art director on productions like “The Time That Remains” and “It Must be Heaven” by Elia Suleiman, as well as “The Attack” by Ziad Douairi.
Haj’s directorial debut came in 2009 with the short film “Oranges”. She followed this with the documentary “Behind These Walls” (2010). Her feature film “Personal Affairs” (2016) was selected for Cannes’ Un Certain Regard and won Best Film at the Haifa International Film Festival. Her latest film, “Mediterranean Fever,” premiered at Cannes 2022, winning Best Screenplay and numerous other international awards.
Mediterranean Fever
Waleed (40) lives in Haifa with his wife and children and dreams of a writing career while suffering from chronic depression. He develops a close relationship with his neighbor (a small- time crook) with an ulterior plot in mind. While the scheme turns into an unexpected friendship between the two men, it leads them into a journey of dark encounters.
Director: Maha Haj
Year: 2022
Length: 108 minutes
Countries: Palestine / Germany / France / Cyprus / Qatar
About Requiem For Justice 2024
Requiem for Justice is an annual global festival showcasing the transformative power of art in the fight against injustice. It offers a profound reflection on human shortcomings amidst today’s challenges and envisions a brighter, more just future.
After a triumphant festival in the high altitudes of Mexico City in 2023, Action for Hope, the civil society network behind Requiem for Justice, brings the festival to the picturesque city of bikes and canals: Amsterdam.
Over the course of four inspiring days, immerse yourself in thought-provoking discussions, captivating concerts, film screenings, and dynamic theater performances by more than 60 artists, writers, and civil society activists from across the globe. This event is a celebration of resilience, a chance to forge connections with a diverse community, and an exploration of what is possible—and, perhaps more importantly, what is seemingly impossible but crucial to strive for.
Join us for an exciting, free programme on day 1 and day 2 of the festival at Pakhuis de Zwijger. Whether you pop in for a session or stay for the whole day, you’re welcome! Between the sessions, you can enjoy a delicious dinner at our cafe. Find all the cafe details here.
For more information about the entire festival programme, please visit Action for Hope’s website.
