Exciting Premiere at Cannes

Tarzan and Arab Nasser’s latest feature, Once Upon a Time in Gaza, is poised to make a remarkable impression at the 78th Cannes Film Festival. It will be showcased in the Un Certain Regard section, with four screenings scheduled from May 19 to May 21, 2025.

Screening Schedule

The film will have its world premiere on May 19 at 11 AM at Salle Debussy. Following this, there will be three additional screenings: May 20 at 1:15 PM at Salle Bazin, again on the same day at 2 PM at Cinema Aurore, and finally on May 21 at 9:15 AM at Cineum Screen X.

A Unique Narrative

Blending dark comedy with incisive social commentary, Once Upon a Time in Gaza follows Yahya, a young student who forms an unexpected friendship with Osama, a kind-hearted yet street-smart restaurant owner. Together, they embark on a risky venture of drug trafficking disguised as falafel sandwich deliveries, only to find themselves in a perilous clash with a corrupt police officer whose inflated ego threatens to dismantle their operation.

Collaborative Production

This international co-production harnesses the creative prowess of France, Palestine, Germany, Portugal, Qatar, and Jordan. The cast includes Nader Abd Alhay, known for his role in Farah on Netflix; Ramzi Maqdisi, recognized from the Berlinale-winning documentary Ghost Hunting; and Majd Eid, who starred in the Cannes-winning Holy Spider. The production team features award-winning cinematographer Christophe Graillot (Ride Above) and César Award-winning editor Sophie Reine, celebrated for The First Day of the Rest of Your Life.

Directed by Visionaries

Once Upon a Time in Gaza is directed by the Nasser Brothers, with a screenplay co-written by Amer Nasser and Marie Legrand. The film is produced by Rani Massalha and Marie Legrand of Les Films du Tambour, alongside Muriel Merlin of Lyly Productions. Co-production partners include Rise Studios (Amanda Turnbull and Ziad Srouji), Made in Palestine Project (Rashid Abdelhamid), Red Balloon Film, Riva Filmproduktion, Ukbar Filmes, and executive producers Jordan Pioneers Multi Media & Slate Films Services, A.A. Films, Cocoon Films, Radio e Televisão de Portugal, and Kometa.

Distribution Strategy

Distribution in the Arab world will be managed by MAD Distribution, while international sales are handled by The Party Film Sales. In France, Dulac Distribution will oversee the film’s release.

Institutional Support

Throughout its development, the film has garnered substantial institutional support, including backing from Aide aux Cinémas du Monde – CNC, Eurimages, the Doha Film Institute, the Royal Film Commission – Jordan Film Fund, and various European regional funds.

A Legacy at Cannes

The Nasser brothers, who hail from Gaza and were born in 1988, are no strangers to the Cannes scene. Their short film Condom Lead was featured in the festival’s main competition in 2013. Their debut feature, Dégradé, premiered at Cannes Critics’ Week, while their second film, Gaza Mon Amour, debuted at the Venice International Film Festival and was Palestine’s official submission for the 2021 Academy Awards.

Elevating Palestinian Cinema

With Once Upon a Time in Gaza, the Nasser brothers continue to elevate Palestinian cinema on the global stage, offering a distinctive blend of humor, heart, and stark reality at one of the world’s most prestigious film festivals.