Egyptian Film ‘East of Noon’ Selected for Cannes Directors’ Fortnight

Egyptian director Hala Elkoussy’s film ‘East of Noon’ has been selected for screening at the Cannes Film Festival Directors’ Fortnight, selected by artistic director Julien Rejl as part of an international line-up of 21 films, putting the spotlight on global directors and their stories.

Set in the ruins of an industrial complex outside time, ‘East of Noon’ is a poignant allegory of life in a dystopian enclave, telling the story of women’s quest for freedom. Alongside producer Abdelsalam Moussa, Elkoussa weaves a story of hope in a hopeless reality, with striking black-and-white visuals enhancing the ‘dirty’ feel of the world itself.

Elkoussy’s ‘East of Noon’ is one of eight films directed or co-directed by women among the 21 films selected this year. The selected films will be competing for a ‘People’s Choice’ award with a EUR 7,500 prize awarded to the winner.