The Sand Castle’: Family drama premieres at Red Sea Film Festival
The Red Sea International Film Festival hosted the world premiere of “The Sand Castle” (working title: Behind the Wave), a captivating family drama featuring a stellar cast of Arab cinema’s leading lights. The film’s premiere was a glamorous affair, drawing in both the cast and a host of A-list cinema personalities.
The film’s narrative unfolds on an idyllic island, where a family of four—parents Yasmine (Nadine Labaki) and Nabil (Ziad Bakri), and their children Adam and Jana (Zain and Riman Al Rafeea)—find themselves unexpectedly stranded. While the island’s beauty initially captivates, a darker undercurrent soon emerges. As the family attempts to settle into their unexpected circumstance, buried secrets begin to surface, testing their resilience and relationships.
Labaki, renowned for her critically acclaimed work Capernaum, portrays Yasmine, a mother constantly scanning the horizon for a sign of rescue. Bakri, a celebrated Palestinian actor known for his powerful performances, plays the father, Nabil, diligently attempting to contact help via radio. Their children offer a compelling contrast. Adam, weary and withdrawn, escapes into music and his father’s cigarettes; while Jana, the younger daughter, finds solace in the imaginative world of building sandcastles on the shore.
As tensions escalate, the boundary between reality and fantasy blurs, pushing the family to their limits. They confront challenging trials of survival, responsibility, and ultimately, life-altering decisions. The film is a powerful exploration of the complexities of family dynamics under pressure.
The film boasts an exceptional ensemble cast, reuniting Labaki with the Syrian siblings Zain and Riman Al Rafeea, who captivated audiences in Capernaum. Ziad Bakri brings his signature intensity to the role of Nabil, completing a powerful and emotionally resonant cast.
“The Sand Castle” is slated for a global release on Netflix on 24 January 2025, promising to captivate audiences worldwide with its compelling story and exceptional performances. The Red Sea International Film Festival provided the perfect setting for the film’s debut, showcasing the talent and creativity flourishing within Arab cinema.
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