BARAKAH YOQABIL BARAKAH
(BARAKAH MEETS BARAKAH)
A Film by Mahmoud Sabbagh
Starring: Hisham Fageeh and Fatima Al Banawi
Media Opportunities
Mahmoud Sabbagh, Hisham Fageeh, and Fatima Al Banawi
Friday, 12 February - Monday, 15 February
Festival Screenings
*World Premiere* - Friday, 12 February at 21:30 - Delphi
Saturday, 13 February at 22:00 - CineStar 8
*P&I* Sunday, 14 February at 14:00 - CinemaxX 6
Monday, 15 February at 19:30 - Zoo-Palast 2
Tuesday, 16 February at 15:45 - CinemaxX16
Thursday, 18 February at 10:00 - CinemaxX 11
Sunday, 21 February at 20:00 - Cubix 9
Barakah (Hisham Fageeh) is a Saudi municipal civil servant whose origins are humble to say the least, while Bibi (Fatima Al Banawi) is a wild beauty, the adopted daughter of a rich couple who functions as a crowd-puller for her stylish adoptive mother’s boutique and has become ultra-famous via her own widely-seen vlog. When Barakah and Bibi meet by chance at a photoshoot the two share a kinetic moment. Could it be love at first sight? And what could a municipal agent and a gorgeous media-star possibly have in common?
Inspired by their mutual feelings of attraction, the young would-be-couple set out to get to know each other better. But under the ever-watchful eye of authority - where meeting in public unchaperoned is prohibited and physical contact is verboten - Barakah and Bibi find themselves in a near-impossible situation trying just to go on a first date.
BARAKAH YOQABIL BARAKAH is a remarkably candid Saudi Arabian love story. Using stabs of acerbic humor, the film gives an insightful look into a time and place where tradition clashes with the modern world of smartphones and social-media. Featuring breakout performances from Fageeh and Al-Banawi the film marks an inspiring debut by first-time feature writer/director Mahmoud Sabbagh.
TRT: 84 Minutes
Country: Saudi Arabia
Language: Arabic with English subtitles
Premiere: World
Category: Forum
Sales: MPM Film
Director/Writer: Mahmoud Sabbagh
Cast: Hisham Fageeh, Fatima Al Banawi, Victor Credi, Zainab Al Mashat