Film Screening at The Picturehouse - Mascarades

Masquerades premiered at the Dubai International Film Festival 2008 and won the Muhr Arab Award and subsequently went on to win critical acclaim and several awards across several global film festivals.

It will be screening from 3rd-10th June at The Picturehouse in Dubai Mall -  so if you are craving world cinema, make sure you don't miss this one.

Masquerades narrates the story of Mounir, who lives with his family in the heart of the Algerian Aures. An arrogant man, who also adores his sister Rym, a narcoleptic and whom the village is convinced will end up a spinster - Mounir has only one dream: to finally be appreciated by his fellow citizens. After working for much of his life as a gardener in his dusty Algerian village, Mounir dreams of improving his family’s fortune and gaining a measure of respect by marrying off Rym, to a "real gentleman".

Rym, however,  has other plans. She dreams of marrying Mounir’s best friend, Khliffa, who has secretly courted her for years. When Mounir lashes out at village gossip with a fib that he has promised Rym to a wealthy outsider, she comes out of her sleepy stupor to embrace the rumor and press her real betrothed into action.

Beautifully brought to life by a memorable cast—including director Lyes Salem as the cocky but compassionate bumbler Mounir—this heartfelt comedy suggests that when dreams become reality, it’s time to wake up.

Director Lyes Salem was born in Alger, Algeria in 1973. After studying at the National Conservatory for Superior Dramatic Arts, he performed in some of the most respected theaters in the country. His second short film, Cousines, received France's César award for Best Short Film in 2005. As an actor, he has appeared in a number of films, including Alex, Banlieue 13 and L’Ecole de la Chair. Mascarades is his first feature film.

www.reelcinemas.ae/cineplexes/picturehouse
www.dubaifilmfest.com