Shanghai Film Festival hosts the first showing of Rakeen Saad’s film “Owl”

The Jordanian artist, Rakeen Saad, is celebrating her first film as an absolute heroine through the movie “Owl”, in its world premiere during the activities of the “Shanghai International Film Festival” in its twenty-eighth session, scheduled to be held between the 12th and 21st of this June.

The selection of the film “Owl”, directed by Jordanian Zaid Abu Hamdan, in the official competition of the “Shanghai International Film Festival”, within the Asian Talent Competition, represents an important milestone in his international career. The “Festival” is considered one of the most prominent cinematic forums in Asia and the world, and a major platform for showcasing the most important contemporary productions and discovering new cinematic voices.

An international trip…with a “taste of suspense”:

This screening represents the start of the film’s international journey through international festivals, before its commercial release in cinemas. It presents to audiences around the world an emotionally charged crime and suspense story that deals with survival, motherhood, and the lives of people who society leaves on the margins.

The events of the film “Owl” take place in the forgotten corners of Jordan, and follows the story of a woman who works to impose influence and resolve conflicts in the street, and who stands at the bottom of the social ladder. They live on simple blackmail, intimidation, and the exchange of services within an informal economy, in which power circulates through fear, and survival becomes dependent on the ability to serve a corrupt system that never allows full belonging to it. She is a woman who is feared by many and loved by few. She adheres to the rules of the street until two weak children impose themselves on her life, and she finds herself confronting her fractured relationship with family, belonging, and motherhood.

Battle for status:

With the rise of a more organized criminal force, it begins to reshape the hidden economy surrounding it, so “Owl” engages in a battle not only related to survival, but also about seeking to seize her place in a world that is accustomed to treating people like her as replaceable.

The film “Owl” stars Rakeen Saad, who is known for her distinguished roles in the series: “Al-Rawabi School for Girls” and “The Butcher of Giza,” and the film “Searching for a Way Out for Mr. Rambo,” which witnessed its world premiere at the “Venice International Film Festival,” and many others. Participating in the action championship, alongside Rakeen Saad, are: Farah Bseiso, Majd Eid, Nabil Al-Rai, Joanna Arida, and Hanan Helou.

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A human story that crosses borders:

“Owl” was filmed entirely in Jordan, during an extremely difficult period for the region. The work team succeeded in presenting a rare image of a side of Jordanian society that does not often appear on screen, while addressing humanitarian issues that transcend the borders of the place and touch a global audience.

Actress Rakeen Saad said in press statements: The film “Owl” deals with the lives of those at the bottom of the social ladder, who society ignores until it needs them, exploits them, or punishes them.

She adds: “What attracted me about the film’s story is that it deals with human stories hidden beneath a hidden society. Behind the story of crime and suspense is a story about motherhood, belonging, and people struggling to find their place in a world that has already determined that they do not deserve it. “This is why the film goes beyond Jordan’s borders, because these characters are everywhere.”

While the author and director of the film, Zaid Abu Hamdan, confirmed that the character “Owl” was born from very local wounds, but her heart is human and global. It talks about the need to belong, invisible pain, and what happens when survival and pain become a language of communication.

He added: “The character (Owl) was inspired by the stories of real women in Jordan. They are women who people feared, misunderstood, and judged, but rarely did anyone try to truly see them.”

It is noteworthy that the movie “Owl” was produced by: Gianluca Chakra, Ahmed Abu Kush, and Sari Al-Salawi.

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