FILM CLINIC NEWS
Continuing Its Tour in Film Festivals

Villa 69 Participates in the Hong Kong International Film Festival

Cairo, Egypt | Tuesday- 1 April, 2014:


Director Ayten Amin's Villa 69 takes part at the World Cinema's Global Vision section, which screens several films from across the world, as part of the 38th Hong Kong International Film Festival that has started on March 24th, 2014.

The film will showcase on April 2nd, 2014, at 02:30 pm, on one of The Grand Cinema screens, whereas its second screening will be on April 5th, 2014, at 09:30 pm at Hong Kong Arts Centre. Hong Kong International Film Festival is one of the most prestigious Asian platforms for filmmakers, film professionals and filmgoers from all over the world to launch and experience new film work.

Co-scripted by Mohamed Al Hajj and Mahmoud Ezzat, Villa 69 is Ayten's feature directorial debut. The film is produced by Wael Omar's Middlewest Films and Mohamed Hefzy´s Film Clinic, and stars Khaled Abol Naga, Arwa Gouda and Egyptian veteran actress Lebleba.

The film follows Hussein, a man living in isolation in his house. Characters from his past begin to invade his solitary lifestyle; his life witnesses drastic changes following the encounter with his sister and nephew, Seif. As a result, gradual and yet radical changes in his dogmatic view of life begin to emerge.

Villa 69 won three awards at the 62nd Egyptian Catholic Center Cinema Festival in March, 2014, including, Best Actor for Khaled Abol Naga, Best Cinematography for Hossam Shaheen, in addition to a Certificate of Appreciation granted to Heba Yousry. Earlier in February, 2014, the film claimed the lion's share at the 40th Egyptian Film Association Festival, as it garnered six awards namely; Best Directorial Debut for Director Ayten Amin, Best Actor for Khaled Abol Naga, Best Supporting Actor for Omar El Ghandour, Best Supporting Actress for Heba Yousry, Best Film Editing for Emad Maher and a Certificate of Appreciation for Art Director Shahira Nassef.

In October, 2013, Villa 69 has also received the Special Jury Award for a Film from the Arab World, at the 7th Abu Dhabi Film Festival within New Horizons Competition, where it had its world premiere.

Ayten Amin was the recipient of the Cairo Film Connection Prize within the frame work of Cairo International Film Festival in 2010 for the script of her film Villa 69. The project has also won a development fund prize from Hubert Bals Fund and was part of the official selection in Pavilion des Cinemas Du Monde, Cannes Film Festival 2011.

Born in Alexandria, Egypt, Ayten studied Film Criticism in 2001. In 2005, she presented two shorts about Madiha Kamel and belly dancing. Ayten studied Cinema independently in Art Lab, the American University in Cairo (AUC). While at the AUC's Art lab, she produced her controversial short, Her Man, that was described as bold and daring, and despite raising a great fuss, the short film was screened in 10 international film festivals including Clermont Ferrand Short Film Festival 2007, and was exclusively screened on the French Canal Plus in 2007 and 2008.

Ayten worked as Assistant Director in Bassra and On a Day Like Today before she made her short Spring 89, that was part of five international festivals including the Short Film Corner, Cannes Film Festival in 2011. The film garnered several awards including Best Short Fiction and the Special Jury Prize for the screenplay at the Alexandria Film Festival. The film also received a Special Mention at the Dubai International Film Festival and was selected as part of an educational program in New York University, Abu Dhabi in 2011.

In the same year, 2011, Ayten Amin co-directed Tahrir 2011: the Good, the Bad and the Politician. The film was as an official selection at Venice International Film Festival, out of competition, and won the CICT-IFTC award. Tahrir 2011 participated in several film festivals and was officially selected to be part of Toronto International Film Festival. The film was nominated for Best Document in Cinema for Peace award at Berlin International Film Festival 2012.

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