Mad Solutions to Distribute Tunisian Auteur Ala Eddine Slim’s ‘Agora’ (Exclusive)

Pan-Arab distributor Mad Solutions has acquired international rights to Tunisian filmmaker Ala Eddine Slim’s mystery drama “Agora,” ahead of its debut in competition at the Locarno Film Festival.

“Agora” follows the story of three missing individuals who reappear suddenly in a secluded town in Tunisia, creating tension within their families and the community. A local police inspector named Fathi, along with her friend Amine, tries to uncover the mystery behind their initial disappearance and unexpected return. The situation becomes more complex with the arrival of another inspector from the capital. The film has a somewhat surreal narrative, with events unfolding as though occurring in the dreams of two animals: a blue dog and a black crow, according to the director’s interview with Variety.

Slim’s earlier works, characterized by minimal dialogue and atmospheric imagery, have received critical acclaim. His film “The Last of Us” (2016) won the Lion of the Future Prize at Venice, while “Tlamess” (2019) was featured in the Directors’ Fortnight at Cannes. “Tlamess” was later distributed by Mad Solutions’ Mad Distribution across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

“Agora” will also be distributed theatrically throughout the Arab world via Mad Distribution. Meanwhile, Mad World, the company’s newly established international sales arm, will manage sales to distributors globally.

The cast of “Agora” includes Neji Kanaweti (“Who Do I Belong To”), Bilel Slatnia (“Dachra”), Majd Mastoura (“Hedi”), and emerging Tunisian talent Sonia Zarg Ayouna.

The film is a coproduction between French producer Julie Viez’s Cinenovo and Slim’s Exit Productions. It received funding from various entities, including the Tunisian National Center for Cinema and Image, Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Fund, and Qatar’s Doha Film Institute.

Mad Solutions co-founders Alaa Karkouti and Maher Diab expressed their enthusiasm, stating they were “excited to bring to the international market a very promising investigative drama that promises to be engaging to the last minute.”

Source: Variety