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Khalid Mansour, the Egyptian director whose previous work included short films and the mini-series Rawaa Reads (2023), has made a remarkable debut with his feature film Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo. The film, which was featured at both the Venice Film Festival and the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, tells a deeply personal story of a man and his dog, set against the backdrop of Egypt’s complex societal dynamics. “It’s an amazing opportunity to showcase my first feature film at such prestigious festivals. It allows me to introduce myself as a filmmaker to a much larger audience,” Mansour remarked following the film's Jeddah screening. He highlighted the importance of the Venice Film Festival, where his film made history as the first Egyptian film to be screened in 12 years. The film’s plot centers on Hassan, a man who is desperately seeking a safe space for his dog, Rambo, who is threatened by their cruel landlord. What begins as a simple tale of loyalty between a man and his dog quickly evolves into a poignant exploration of the struggles faced by Mansour’s generation, dealing with issues of identity, fear, and belonging. “I’ve been working on this film for eight years because I wanted to create something that was meaningful and authentic,” Mansour explained. “The story goes beyond just a dog and his owner; it’s about the challenges we face as a generation in our society.” Inspired by a tragic real-life event in 2015, the film draws from a disturbing incident on Cairo’s Al-Ahram Street, where a group of men killed a dog in broad daylight as an act of revenge. The event sparked outrage and led to the perpetrators being jailed. Mansour, whose film reflects on the strong emotional connection between humans and their animals, took this incident as a foundation to build his narrative. “The story of Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo explores more than just the bond between a man and his dog. It’s about the pain, the fears, and the personal struggles that define us as individuals, as well as the broader societal issues we navigate,” he said. The cast includes Essam Omar, Rakeen Saad, Ahmed Bahaa, Samaa Ibrahim, and Rambo Brothers, who bring to life the emotional journey at the heart of the film. Produced by Rasha Hosny and Mohamed Hefzy, Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo is set for release in cinemas across the Arab world in January 2024. Through its heartfelt narrative and its exploration of complex societal issues, the film offers a glimpse into modern Egyptian life, where the human condition, loyalty, and personal struggles intersect in a touching and thought-provoking way.