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Premiere of “Personal Affairs” 

The film, directed by Palestinian filmmaker Maha Haj, can be seen at cinemas as of Friday, July 21.

July 14, 2017
MADRID
Plot summary
In Nazareth, a couple that has been together for many years lives their life drowning in the monotony of routine. On the other side of the border in Ramallah, their son Tarek wants to stay single for the rest of his life, as his grandmother loses her mind, her daughter is about to give birth and her husband is given a role in a movie.

In the midst of a turbulent political climate, between frivolity, dreams and duty, some wish to leave, while other would rather stay, but they all have personal affairs to resolve in this comedy about family relationships directed by Maha Haj.

“Personal Affairs” has been an entry at the film festivals in Cannes (“Un Certain Regard” section) and Valladolid, and it has also received awards at the Film Festivald of Zurich (Special Mention for the Best International Film) and Philadelphia (Archie Award for the Best First Film); Cinemed in Montpellier (Critics’ Award) and the International Film Festival of Haifa (Award from the Haifa Cultural Foundation for the Best Film).

Maha Haj grew up and lives in Nazareth, where she works as a screenwriter, script doctor and art director. Before this first feature film, she wrote the script for the post-apocalyptic movie “Existence” (2010). She is also the screenwriter and director of the short-subject film “Oranges” (2009) and the documentary “Within These Walls” (2010). The first time she worked on a movie was for “The Time That Remains” by Elia Suleiman, as the chief set designer, as well as being a co-writer for the script of the short-subject film “Elvis of Nazareth” by Rani Massalha (2011).

Preview:

 
Premiere of “Personal Affairs”